Island Overview
November opens across Crete with mild temperatures and a predominantly overcast sky. From Chania to Heraklion, afternoon highs reach 22 to 24°C under a steady grey lid of cloud, with no rainfall recorded along the central and western north coast. The island feels autumnal and quiet rather than stormy.
North Coast vs South Coast
The north coast from Chania through Rethymno, Heraklion, and Hersonissos stays entirely dry today. Wind is the main variable here: Heraklion and Hersonissos record gusts up to 27 and 26 km/h from the north, raising spray at exposed beaches but causing no real disruption. Chania and Malia are calmer, with winds barely reaching 7 km/h.
The south and far east tell a different story. Ierapetra records 0.8 mm of rain with light showers persisting through the day, while Makrigialos and Sitia add 0.3 and 0.1 mm respectively. These are not significant rainfall events, but they signal that the Mediterranean rainy season is now underway. Temperatures across the south top out at 20 to 21°C, a couple of degrees cooler than the north.
Mountains
Low cloud sits over the White Mountains above Chania and the Psiloritis massif above Rethymno. No snowfall is expected at these elevations in early November, but anyone driving to Omalos or the Nida plateau should expect reduced visibility and temperatures several degrees below what the coast is recording. A warm layer is essential.
Sea State, Wind, and UV
Sea temperatures remain well above what early November typically delivers. Readings range from 21.9°C at Rethymno to 23.3°C at Makrigialos, with most north coast waters sitting between 22 and 22.5°C. Wave heights are negligible island-wide; the largest swell recorded today is 0.4 m off Makrigialos. The UV index peaks between 4.2 and 4.7, rated moderate. Sunscreen remains worth applying for extended time outdoors around midday.
Swim Verdict
The sea is genuinely comfortable. Water in the low 22s along the north coast and 22 to 23°C in the south makes an autumn swim pleasant rather than a cold-water challenge. Waves are small everywhere. The north coast is rain-free, though northerly gusts at Heraklion and Hersonissos can make exposed beaches breezy. Sheltered coves around Elounda and Ag. Nikolaos offer calmer surface conditions. South coast beaches at Makrigialos carry light rain but warmer water and lighter winds.
Practical Tip for 1 November
If you are heading to a south or east coast beach today, pack a light waterproof layer. Showers at Ierapetra and Makrigialos are brief and light, but the overcast sky makes the afternoon feel cooler than the thermometer suggests. North coast visitors should note the wind chill at Heraklion and Hersonissos: a sheltered cove or a windbreak makes a real difference to comfort at these temperatures.
