Island overview
A dry, mild day settles across Crete on 11 November 2026. Overcast skies cover most of the island from Sitia in the east to Rethymno in the centre, with the exception of Chania in the northwest, where the cloud breaks to partly cloudy intervals. No precipitation is forecast at any point on the island. Temperatures remain well above mid-November averages, with afternoon highs ranging from 21.7°C on the south coast to 24.0°C in Heraklion.
North coast versus south coast
The north shore runs warmer through the afternoon. Heraklion tops out at 24.0°C, Hersonissos at 23.5°C, and Chania at 23.1°C, making the central and eastern north the warmest strip today. The south coast at Ierapetra and Makrigialos peaks at 21.7°C, though overnight lows there hold around 15 to 16°C. The north coast cools more sharply after dark: Heraklion drops to 14.5°C and Sitia, on the eastern tip, falls to 14.3°C. Those are the coolest overnight readings on the island today. Malia is an outlier, with a minimum of 19.5°C, reflecting its sheltered position and proximity to the sea.
Mountain conditions
At altitude the picture changes entirely. The White Mountains above Chania and the Psiloritis range behind Rethymno are well below 10°C, with frost expected above 1,500 metres. The cloud ceiling will reduce visibility near the summits. Anyone planning a hike into the high terrain should bring warm and waterproof layers and expect conditions to deteriorate quickly after midday.
Sea state, wind and UV
Sea temperatures hold comfortably above 20°C across all shores, from 20.9°C off Rethymno to 22.0°C at Ierapetra and Makrigialos. Waves are small on most coasts. Rethymno records just 0.32 metres, and the sheltered Gulf of Mirabello near Ag. Nikolaos and Elounda stays under 0.5 metres. The south coast carries a moderate swell: Makrigialos at 0.92 metres and Ierapetra at 0.88 metres produce noticeable but manageable surf. Chania faces the highest seas today at 1.02 metres on its northwest-facing shore. Winds are light to moderate across most of the island, under 15 km/h in Heraklion, Ag. Nikolaos, Elounda, Sitia and Makrigialos. Chania sees the strongest gusts at 19.3 km/h, and Rethymno follows at 16.6 km/h. UV peaks at index 4 islandwide, sitting in the moderate band. Sun protection between noon and 15:00 remains worthwhile.
Swim verdict
Swimming conditions are good on most coasts. Sea temperatures in the low 20s are on the warm side of comfortable for the season, and calm surf makes entry easy on sheltered beaches. The south coast at Makrigialos and Ierapetra carries a swell that will produce light surf; it is not rough, but swimmers should expect some movement in the water. Chania is the least suitable for a casual swim today given the combination of 1.02-metre waves and a 19 km/h onshore breeze.
Practical tip for today
The gap between the afternoon high and the overnight low is wide today, particularly in Heraklion (24.0°C down to 14.5°C) and Sitia (22.2°C down to 14.3°C). Midday feels like late summer, but temperatures drop fast after sunset. Carry a mid-layer if you plan to be outdoors in the evening.
