Island Overview
August 13 is dry across all of Crete with no rain recorded anywhere. Skies range from partly cloudy in the west and south to overcast along much of the north coast and at Sitia, but this is thin seasonal haze rather than storm cover. The meltemi northerly is active today, making its presence felt most strongly between Heraklion and the far east of the island.
North vs South
The north coast runs cooler and breezier today. Chania and Rethymno reach 28°C under a mix of cloud and sun with winds at 15 to 18 km/h. Heraklion tops out at 30°C under an overcast sky with gusts reaching 29 km/h. Hersonissos and Malia are similar: overcast, breezy, and peaking just under 28°C. This is textbook mid-August meltemi behaviour and nothing unusual for the season.
The south is warmer and considerably calmer. Ierapetra reaches 31.7°C with an overnight low of 28.6°C, the warmest floor recorded anywhere in Crete today. Makrigialos hits 32.8°C. Protected from the northerly swell by the Dikti and Asterousia ranges, both towns see winds of only 19 to 21 km/h and sea conditions close to flat calm.
Eastern Crete
Agios Nikolaos and Elounda lead the island on temperature at 33.3°C, partly cloudy with a fresh breeze at 25 km/h. Sitia is overcast and a few degrees cooler at 28°C with winds near 27 km/h. The Gulf of Mirabello remains comfortable for swimming despite the wind.
Mountains
Ridgelines above 1,500 metres in the White Mountains and on Psiloritis run 10 to 14°C cooler than the coast. Morning conditions are clear and good for walking. Start early; afternoon cloud typically builds on the peaks even on dry days, and visibility can drop quickly above the treeline.
Sea, Wind and UV
Sea temperatures are warm island-wide: 27°C at Heraklion and Chania, 26 to 26.8°C along the south coast, and 25.9°C at Sitia. The meltemi pushes waves to 1.3 metres off Chania and around 1.2 metres near Malia and Hersonissos. The south coast sits below 0.2 metres. UV index peaks at 8.2 in Rethymno and stays above 7.8 across the entire island. Overcast skies do not filter UV meaningfully.
Swim Verdict
The south coast is the clear choice today. Ierapetra and Makrigialos offer near-flat water at 26 to 26.8°C, ideal for families and snorkellers. On the north coast, sheltered coves and east-facing beaches will be comfortable; open beaches between Heraklion and Malia will have noticeable wave action. Conditions are safe island-wide, but lighter swimmers should check local wave exposure before entering.
Practical Tip for 13 August
Do not let the overcast skies on the north coast lower your guard. A UV index of 8 and above cuts through thin cloud and reflects off the water surface. Apply SPF 50 before reaching the beach, reapply every two hours, and seek shade between 11:00 and 16:00 if you are spending a long stretch outdoors.
