Overview: 6 July 2026
Dry, warm and mostly sunny conditions cover the whole of Crete today. No rainfall is recorded anywhere from Chania to Sitia. Skies are clear to mainly clear across most of the island, with partly cloudy intervals along the central north coast around Rethymno, Hersonissos and Malia. Temperatures reach 27-30°C at sea level, with the east coast running slightly warmer than the west.
North and East Coast
The Meltemi northerly is active but moderate on the north shore: 16 km/h at Chania rising to 25 km/h at Heraklion and Hersonissos. The eastern zone, centred on Ag. Nikolaos, Elounda and Sitia, is today's warmest part of the island, with Elounda topping 30.4°C and Ag. Nikolaos at 30.3°C. Winds here reach 29-35 km/h. Wave heights along the entire north and east coast range from 1.2 to 1.44m, creating moderate but manageable conditions at open beaches.
South Coast: Calm Sea, Strong Wind
The sharpest contrast today is on the south coast. Ierapetra and Makrigialos both register peak gusts of 46-47 km/h, the strongest values on the island. Despite this, wave heights are just 0.4-0.6m: the Dikti and Asterousia mountain ranges block northern swell effectively. Overnight lows stay above 25°C, the warmest nights on the island. Clear skies and calm water make the south coast an attractive option today, provided strong surface wind does not concern you.
High Ground
Temperatures drop 5-8°C below coastal values above 1,000m in the Lefka Ori and around Psiloritis. Conditions are dry and visibility is good, but gusts channelled through mountain passes can be abrupt. Bring a windproof layer for any high-altitude hike today.
Sea Temperature and UV
Sea surface temperatures sit at a consistent 25.0-26.4°C around the whole island. The UV index peaks at 8.3-8.6, firmly in the very high category. Apply SPF 30 or higher, reapply after swimming, and reduce direct sun exposure between 11:00 and 15:00 when intensity is at its peak.
Swim Verdict
Good to very good across the island. The south coast around Ierapetra and Makrigialos offers the calmest water today despite strong surface winds, suitable for all swimmers. North and east coast beaches are fully swimmable with wave action of 1.2-1.4m. Exposed north-facing headlands carry more difficulty for less confident swimmers and are best avoided.
Practical Tip
If you are planning a boat trip along the north coast, confirm conditions with your operator before departure. A base wind of 25 km/h combined with 1.2-1.4m swells makes for a noticeably choppy crossing east of Heraklion, particularly in the afternoon as the Meltemi strengthens. For calmer water, the south coast around Ierapetra is the better option on the water today.
