Island Overview
September 3 opens with clear skies across the whole of Crete and no rainfall anywhere on the island. Highs range from 28°C in Sitia to 33°C in Elounda and Ag. Nikolaos, making this a typical early-September day: hot enough for the beach, but with shorter daylight than July and a slight easing of peak-summer intensity. The meltemi is still present on the north and east coasts, blowing at moderate levels.
North vs South
The north coast from Chania to Hersonissos sees afternoon highs of 29-30°C with a northerly breeze gusting to 23-27 km/h. Nights in Chania and Rethymno hold steady around 22°C. Heraklion has a wider temperature swing, cooling to 18.5°C overnight. The south coast is warmer and noticeably quieter: Ierapetra stays above 27°C all night and reaches 31°C in the afternoon, while Makrigialos is similar. Both towns are sheltered from the main northerly flow by the Dikti and Asterousia ranges, keeping winds at 17-21 km/h and the sea almost flat.
The eastern end of the island tells its own story. Ag. Nikolaos and Elounda are the hottest spots at 33°C, partly shaped by the topography of the Gulf of Mirabello. Winds there gust to 30.5 km/h, producing choppier surface conditions despite the heat and clear skies.
Mountains
No high-altitude station data is available today, but the 18.5°C overnight low recorded in Heraklion indicates that the Psiloritis foothills and the Dikti plateau are comfortably cool. A morning or late-afternoon drive up from the coast provides a genuine change of air if the coastal heat becomes tiring.
Sea State, Wind and UV
Sea temperatures sit between 26.4°C at Makrigialos and 27.3°C at Chania and Rethymno, warm enough for long and comfortable swims. The south coast leads for calm water: wave heights of just 0.22m at Makrigialos and 0.26m at Ierapetra. The north coast has light to moderate chop of 0.74-0.96m. Sitia records the highest swell at 1.0m, still within safe limits but worth noting for paddleboarders and kayakers. UV peaks at 7.6 in Rethymno and sits at 7.35-7.5 elsewhere, firmly in the high category. Apply SPF 30 or above before heading out, reapply after each swim, and limit direct exposure between noon and 15:00.
Swim Verdict
Conditions are safe and enjoyable across the island. The south coast offers the calmest water, well suited to families and snorkelers. The north has a manageable light chop. The east is the warmest but also the windiest, with more surface movement on the water.
Practical Tip for the Day
If you are driving the south coast road, Makrigialos is the standout beach stop today. A wave height of 0.22m, a sea temperature of 26.4°C and winds below 18 km/h combine to make it excellent for snorkeling and unhurried swimming. Arrive before 11:00 to secure a shaded spot; on a clear day like this the beach fills up by late morning.
