Island Overview
Crete is running under two distinct weather regimes today. The north coast from Chania through to Hersonissos is grey and damp, with light rain showers dropping between 0.3mm and 1.4mm and daytime highs held to 16.4C to 16.8C. The south and east coasts are a different picture entirely: Ierapetra, Makrigialos and Ag. Nikolaos are under clear or mainly clear skies with highs of 17.7C to 18.2C. Autumn has arrived, but it is arriving unevenly.
North vs South
Heraklion, Rethymno and Hersonissos all have active light rain showers this morning. Chania and Malia are overcast without meaningful precipitation. UV across the northern strip is low, between 1.5 and 2.85, so the cloud is doing the work of blocking solar radiation. The south and east corridor from Ag. Nikolaos to Makrigialos is bright, with UV readings of 3.65 to 4.4. These are not summer values, but they are sufficient to cause burning on fair skin after an hour of unprotected exposure. If you are spending the day outdoors on the east coast, apply sunscreen.
Mountains
The White Mountains above Chania and the Psiloritis massif in central Crete are wrapped in low cloud today. Hikers on exposed routes above 1,000 metres should expect wet rock, reduced visibility and gusty conditions. The Lasithi Plateau sits in the clearer eastern zone at lower elevation, but wind chill on any exposed ridge will be noticeable given the gusts forecast island-wide, and temperatures drop quickly above 800 metres after midday.
Sea State and Wind
Sea temperatures are holding at 21.9 to 22.6C across all monitored stations, which is genuinely comfortable for November. Wave heights are where the coasts diverge sharply. The north coast is running 1.86m to 2.14m from Rethymno to Malia, making open beach swimming inadvisable. The south coast is calmer on the water: 0.4m at Ierapetra, 0.88m at Makrigialos. The complication in the south and east today is wind. Ierapetra is recording gusts to 52.9 km/h, Makrigialos to 43.6 km/h, Sitia to 35.3 km/h, and Ag. Nikolaos to 33 km/h. These are strong winds, capable of creating choppy surface conditions even where wave heights are low, and making beach umbrellas a liability.
Swim Verdict
Swimming is viable today in sheltered coves on the south coast, particularly around Ierapetra and Makrigialos where wave heights are well under 1 metre and sea temperatures sit at 22.3 to 22.6C. Choose a spot with natural wind shelter, as exposed shores in those areas will feel raw at 50 km/h. Ag. Nikolaos and Elounda in Mirabello Bay offer a reasonable compromise of calm water and partial shelter. On the north coast, 2-metre waves make open beach bathing uncomfortable and best avoided today.
Practical Tip
If you are based in Heraklion or Chania and want sunshine, the drive east via the BOAK motorway to Ag. Nikolaos takes under 90 minutes and puts you in a completely different sky. Pack a windproof layer regardless of destination: the south coast sunshine today comes with a stiff breeze attached.
