Island Overview
Saturday 7 November 2026 brings a split personality to Crete. A broad cloud sheet covers the north and central spine of the island, while the south coast emerges into clearer conditions marred by strong gusty winds. Temperatures are mild island-wide, ranging from 13°C overnight in Chania to 18.7°C in the afternoon around Ag. Nikolaos and Elounda. Rainfall is negligible: only Chania (0.4 mm) and Rethymno (0.5 mm) logged any overnight moisture, and no further rain is forecast today.
North vs South
Along the north coast, Heraklion, Hersonissos and Malia are uniformly overcast with highs of 17 to 17.3°C and moderate winds of 21 to 24 km/h. Chania is calmer at 11 km/h but equally grey. Rethymno sits in between at 23 km/h. These are unremarkable November conditions: cool, dull, but dry.
The south coast is the warmer option, reaching 18.6°C in both Ierapetra and Makrigialos under mainly clear skies. The trade-off is wind. Ierapetra is gusting to 51 km/h today, Makrigialos to 43 km/h. These are strong winds by any measure, enough to affect small watercraft, destabilise beach furniture and make exposed coastal walks uncomfortable. Plan accordingly.
Mountain Conditions
The White Mountains above Chania and Psiloritis above Rethymno are sitting in cloud. At elevations above 1,500 metres, temperatures will be in single figures. Gorge trails in the Samaria area are damp and visibility on the higher sections will be limited. A warm layer and waterproof jacket are essential for any mountain excursion today.
Sea, Wind and UV
Sea temperatures remain generous for November: 21.5°C in Rethymno, 21.8 to 21.9°C along the north and east, and 22.4 to 22.5°C on the south coast. The UV index peaks at 3.5 to 4.5 at midday, which is moderate: sunscreen on exposed skin is still advisable even under cloud cover. Wave heights on the north coast reach 1.6 to 1.8 metres, making for choppy and uninviting shorelines. Sitia also sees 1.8-metre swells. The south is calmer: 0.46 m in Ierapetra, 0.82 m at Makrigialos.
Swim Verdict
The south coast is the only realistic option for swimming today. Makrigialos and Ierapetra offer calm water above 22°C, provided you find a spot sheltered from the gusts. The north coast, with swells of 1.6 to 1.8 metres, is not suitable for casual swimmers. The sea temperature is comfortable, but conditions are not.
Practical Tip
If driving between Heraklion and Ag. Nikolaos or along the eastern coastal road toward Sitia, expect sharp crosswinds on exposed viaduct sections. Keep two hands on the wheel, slow down for high-sided vehicles, and add time to your journey estimate.
