Island Overview
Saturday 1 August 2026 brings no rain anywhere on Crete, but sky conditions and wind strength differ markedly across the island. The north coast is running grey and breezy while the south and east enjoy full sunshine and light winds. Temperatures range from 26.8°C in Rethymno to 31.7°C in Ag. Nikolaos and Elounda.
North Coast vs South and East
From Chania through Heraklion to Hersonissos and Malia, the north coast sits under partly cloudy to overcast skies. Chania is the cloudiest city today, reaching 27°C. Heraklion sees the strongest wind on the island, gusting to nearly 29 km/h, pushing waves to around 1.4m along the central north shore. Expect a noticeable breeze at beachside tables and moderate chop in the water.
The picture shifts substantially on the south and east coasts. Ag. Nikolaos and Elounda top out at 31.7°C under mainly clear skies with calm 13 km/h winds. Ierapetra and Makrigialos on the south coast are equally settled, with highs of 28-30°C and wave heights of just 0.2m. The Libyan Sea today is almost flat.
Mountain Interiors
The White Mountains above Chania and the Psiloritis massif above Rethymno will run 8-10°C cooler than coastal readings. No thunderstorms are expected today. Gorge walks and mountain drives are comfortable, but carry sufficient water and sun protection even at altitude.
Sea Conditions, Wind and UV
Sea temperatures are uniformly warm, from 25.5°C at Makrigialos to 26.7°C at Heraklion. UV peaks at 8.0 to 8.25 across all regions, placing today firmly in the very high band. Sunscreen of SPF 30 or above, reapplied every two hours, is essential. The windiest locations are Heraklion (29 km/h), Hersonissos and Malia (21 km/h each), and Sitia (21 km/h). Chania, Rethymno, Ierapetra and Makrigialos offer the calmest conditions.
Swim Verdict
The south coast is the standout choice today. Ierapetra and Makrigialos offer flat water, clear skies and sea temperatures above 25°C, well suited to families and snorkellers. The east coast bays around Ag. Nikolaos and Elounda are also very good: light winds and waves below 1.2m. The north coast is swimmable but expect moderate chop and wind spray, particularly between Heraklion and Malia where waves reach 1.4m.
Practical Tip for Today
If you are staying along the north coast and want calmer water, Ierapetra is roughly a 90-minute drive from Heraklion. The sheltered coves just east of Ag. Nikolaos are reachable in under an hour. Both offer significantly flatter conditions than the north shore today and are worth the detour if a relaxed swim is the priority.
