Sea temperature in Greece
Live water temperatures and swimming conditions across 243 beaches on the Greece coast.
Best time to swim in Greece
The sea in Greece peaks in August, when the water averages around 26°C.
The main swimming season runs from May – November, when surface temperatures stay comfortable for extended sessions.
On average, 7 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Shoulder months like April and December are noticeably cooler but often quieter, with fewer crowds and steadier weather.
Outside peak season the water drops toward 17°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.
The coldest month is typically February at around 15°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.
Greece sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Greece shows an annual mean sea temperature of 20°C, ranging from 15°C in winter to 26°C at the summer peak.
The seasonal swing is roughly 11°C between the coldest and warmest month — a useful yardstick when comparing years or checking whether the current sea is running above or below average.
Recent decades have trended slightly warmer at Greece, in line with regional sea-surface temperature records for the wider basin.
Monthly averages below are drawn from multi-decadal climatology and are updated as new observations arrive.
Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.
Greece sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Greece?
August is the warmest month in Greece, when the sea averages about 26°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Greece?
The coldest month in Greece is typically February, when the water averages around 15°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Greece without a wetsuit?
The main swimming season in Greece runs from May – November — about 7 months a year when the sea sits above 20°C, the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do I need a wetsuit in Greece?
Outside peak summer the water in Greece drops toward 17°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable. In peak months most swimmers go without.
What is the average sea temperature in Greece?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Greece is about 20°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Greece?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Greece, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.
Greece sea temperature by month
Average sea temperatures around Greece for every month of the year, based on long-term Open-Meteo marine climatology.
| Month | Average sea | Swimming comfort |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16.0°C | Bracing — wetsuit advised |
| February | 15.0°C | Bracing — wetsuit advised |
| March | 15.0°C | Bracing — wetsuit advised |
| April | 17.0°C | Bracing — wetsuit advised |
| May | 20.0°C | Swimmable, refreshing |
| June | 23.0°C | Pleasant swimming |
| July | 25.0°C | Warm swimming |
| August ⭐ | 26.0°C | Warm swimming |
| September | 25.0°C | Warm swimming |
| October | 22.0°C | Pleasant swimming |
| November | 20.0°C | Swimmable, refreshing |
| December | 17.0°C | Bracing — wetsuit advised |
Monthly figures are modelled climatology averages, not live readings. How accurate is our data?
Coastal regions of Greece
Region hubs with live sea temperatures, swim conditions and a beach directory.
Warmest beaches in Greece right now
| Beach | Region | Sea | Swim score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manganari | Cyclades | 25.7°C | Excellent |
| Kathisma | Ionian Islands | 25.7°C | Excellent |
| Pelekas | Ionian Islands | 25.7°C | Excellent |
| Karydi Beach | Halkidiki | 25.7°C | Excellent |
| Porto Limnionas | Zakynthos | 25.7°C | Excellent |
| Xigia Beach | Zakynthos | 25.7°C | Excellent |
| Makris Gialos | Kefalonia | 25.7°C | Excellent |
| Ftelia Beach | Mykonos | 25.7°C | Excellent |
| Porto Timoni | Ionian Islands | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Lalaria | Sporades | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Kavourotrypes | Halkidiki | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Kalafatis Beach | Cyclades | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Pyrgaki Beach | Cyclades | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Tsoukalia | Sporades | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Possidi Beach | Halkidiki | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Agios Stefanos Kos | Kos | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Myrtos Beach | Kefalonia | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Lentas Beach | Crete | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Tigaki Beach | Kos | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Lambi Beach | Kos | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Porto Timoni | Corfu | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Skala Eresou | Lesvos | 25.6°C | Excellent |
| Kolymbithres | Cyclades | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Mylos Beach | Ionian Islands | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Pounda Beach | Cyclades | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Lalaria Beach | Sporades | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Paradise Beach Kos | Kos | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Egremni Beach | Lefkada | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Kedrodasos Beach | Crete | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Kommos Beach | Crete | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Elounda Beach | Crete | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Ixia Beach | Rhodes | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Fourni Beach | Rhodes | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Alykes Beach | Zakynthos | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Manganari Beach | Ios | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Kryopigi Beach | Halkidiki | 25.5°C | Excellent |
| Agia Anna | Cyclades | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Kamari | Cyclades | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Vrika Beach | Ionian Islands | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Skala Beach | Ionian Islands | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Stavros Beach | Crete | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Voulisma Beach | Crete | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Hovolo Beach | Sporades | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Glystra Beach | Rhodes | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Marathi Beach | Crete | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Georgioupoli Beach | Crete | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Ladiko Beach | Rhodes | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Kyra Panagia Beach | Karpathos | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Arillas Beach | Corfu | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Banana Beach | Zakynthos | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Kalamaki Beach | Zakynthos | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Agios Sostis | Mykonos | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Panormos Beach Mykonos | Mykonos | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Perivolos Beach | Santorini | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Vourvourou Beach | Halkidiki | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Ammouliani Beach | Halkidiki | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Karathona Beach | Peloponnese | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Kastani Beach | Skopelos | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Golden Beach Thassos | Thassos | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Psili Ammos Samos | Samos | 25.4°C | Excellent |
| Voutoumi | Ionian Islands | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Antisamos Beach | Ionian Islands | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Platis Gialos | Cyclades | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Chrissi Island Beach | Crete | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Manganari Beach | Cyclades | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Analipsi Beach | Crete | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Xerokambos Beach | Crete | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Kremasti Beach | Rhodes | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Marmari Beach | Kos | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Agios Stefanos Kos | Kos | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Kavos Beach | Corfu | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Nissaki Beach | Corfu | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Tsilivi Beach | Zakynthos | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Skala Beach | Kefalonia | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Sarakiniko Beach | Milos | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Vouliagmeni Beach | Athens Riviera | 25.3°C | Excellent |
| Paleokastritsa | Ionian Islands | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Karydi | Halkidiki | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Paliochori | Cyclades | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Tigania Beach | Halkidiki | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Plimmiri Beach | Rhodes | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Elafonissi Beach | Crete | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Plakias Beach | Crete | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Kalithea Beach | Rhodes | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Kontogialos Beach | Corfu | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Kalami Beach | Corfu | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Hanioti Beach | Halkidiki | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Voidokilia Beach | Peloponnese | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Banana Beach Skiathos | Skiathos | 25.2°C | Excellent |
| Egremni | Ionian Islands | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Tsilivi Beach | Ionian Islands | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Romanos Beach | Peloponnese | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Agrari Beach | Cyclades | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Loutraki Crete | Crete | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Lagomandra Beach | Halkidiki | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Souda Beach | Crete | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Traganou Beach | Rhodes | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Achata Beach | Karpathos | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Laganas Beach | Zakynthos | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Kalithea Beach Halkidiki | Halkidiki | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Astir Beach | Athens Riviera | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Kalogria Beach | Peloponnese | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Ritsa Beach | Peloponnese | 25.1°C | Excellent |
| Plaka | Cyclades | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Red Beach | Cyclades | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Antisamos | Ionian Islands | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Glyfada Corfu | Ionian Islands | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Marcello Beach | Cyclades | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Triopetra Beach | Crete | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Chrysi Island | Crete | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Kalives Beach | Crete | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Sarakiniko Beach Crete | Crete | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Paradise Beach Kos | Kos | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Porto Zoro | Zakynthos | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Santa Maria Paros | Paros | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Chrissi Akti | Paros | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Sani Beach | Halkidiki | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Sarti Beach | Halkidiki | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Elafonisos Simos Beach | Peloponnese | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Marathopoli Beach | Peloponnese | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Koukounaries Beach | Skiathos | 25.0°C | Excellent |
| Paraga | Cyclades | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Sarakiniko | Cyclades | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Glyfada | Ionian Islands | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Porto Katsiki | Ionian Islands | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Voutoumi | Ionian Islands | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Sani Beach | Halkidiki | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Frangokastello Beach | Crete | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Ammoudi Beach Plakias | Crete | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Kalathas Beach | Crete | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Rethymno Beach | Crete | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Voulismeni Beach | Crete | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Camel Beach | Kos | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Xi Beach | Kefalonia | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Milos Beach Lefkada | Lefkada | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Psarou Beach | Mykonos | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Kalafatis Beach | Mykonos | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| White Beach | Santorini | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Paleochori Beach | Milos | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Voula Beach | Athens Riviera | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Tsamadou Beach | Samos | 24.9°C | Excellent |
| Falassarna | Crete | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Matala | Crete | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Anthony Quinn Bay | Dodecanese | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Koukounaries | Sporades | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Simos Beach | Peloponnese | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Panormos Beach | Crete | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Xerokampos Beach | Crete | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Elli Beach | Rhodes | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Apella Beach | Karpathos | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Kolitsani Beach | Ios | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Pefkohori Beach | Halkidiki | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Panormos Beach Skopelos | Skopelos | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Alyki Beach Thassos | Thassos | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Marble Beach | Thassos | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Karfas Beach | Chios | 24.8°C | Excellent |
| Mylopotas | Cyclades | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Super Paradise | Cyclades | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Elia Beach | Cyclades | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| St Paul's Bay | Dodecanese | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Xi Beach | Ionian Islands | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Seitan Limania | Crete | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Almyros Beach | Crete | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Pefkochori Beach | Halkidiki | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Anthony Quinn Bay | Rhodes | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Gerakas Beach | Zakynthos | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Damnoni Beach | Crete | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Agia Marina Beach | Crete | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Platanias Beach | Crete | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Almyrida Beach | Crete | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Amoudara Beach | Crete | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Malia Beach | Crete | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Glyfada Beach Corfu | Corfu | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Petani Beach | Kefalonia | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Punda Beach | Paros | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Kleftiko Beach | Milos | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Milia Beach Skopelos | Skopelos | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Vatera Beach | Lesvos | 24.7°C | Excellent |
| Elafonisi | Crete | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Balos | Crete | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Perissa | Cyclades | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Firiplaka | Cyclades | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Tsigrado | Cyclades | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Tsambika | Dodecanese | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Egremni Beach | Ionian Islands | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Banana Beach | Ionian Islands | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Issos Beach | Ionian Islands | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Marathi Beach | Crete | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Kallithea Beach | Halkidiki | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Marmari Beach | Kos | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Issos Beach | Corfu | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Panormo Beach | Crete | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Stalis Beach | Crete | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Hersonissos Beach | Crete | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Myrtiotissa Beach | Corfu | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Barbati Beach | Corfu | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Kalamitsi Beach | Halkidiki | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Legrena Beach | Athens Riviera | 24.6°C | Excellent |
| Seitan Limania | Crete | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Preveli | Crete | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Prasonisi | Dodecanese | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Mikri Vigla | Dodecanese | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Milia | Sporades | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Gerakas Beach | Ionian Islands | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Kalo Livadi | Cyclades | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Spinalonga Beach | Crete | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Sidari Beach | Corfu | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Voulisma Beach | Crete | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Faliraki Beach | Rhodes | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Vlychada Beach | Santorini | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Nea Fokea Beach | Halkidiki | 24.5°C | Excellent |
| Stavros | Crete | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Golden Beach | Cyclades | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Lindos Bay | Dodecanese | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Alyko Beach | Cyclades | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Monolithos Beach | Cyclades | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Komos Beach | Crete | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Kavourotrypes | Halkidiki | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Porto Katsiki | Lefkada | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Navagio Beach | Zakynthos | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Sarakiniko Beach | Milos | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Agios Nikolaos Beach | Crete | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Sitia Beach | Crete | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Mastichari Beach | Kos | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Agios Gordios Beach | Corfu | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Halikounas Beach | Corfu | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Agios Stefanos Corfu | Corfu | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Agios Nikitas | Lefkada | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Kavouri Beach | Athens Riviera | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Foneas Beach | Peloponnese | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Lemonakia Beach | Samos | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Petra Beach | Lesvos | 24.4°C | Excellent |
| Vai | Crete | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Agios Prokopios | Cyclades | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Kefalos Beach | Kos | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Glyfada Beach Corfu | Corfu | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Bali Beach | Crete | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Kokkini Hani Beach | Crete | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Canal dAmour | Corfu | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Ornos Beach | Mykonos | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Polychrono Beach | Halkidiki | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Schinias Beach | Athens Riviera | 24.3°C | Excellent |
| Paradise Beach Thassos | Thassos | 24.3°C | Excellent |
Sea temperature in Greece — FAQ
How warm is the sea in Greece in September?
The sea off Greece averages about 25.0°C in September, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.
When is the best time to swim in Greece?
Greece is warmest in August (around 26.0°C) and coldest in February (around 15.0°C). There are typically 5 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.
What is the average yearly sea temperature in Greece?
Across all twelve months, the sea in Greece averages about 20.1°C.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in Greece?
In peak season (around August, ~26.0°C) most swimmers are comfortable without a wetsuit. Outside summer, when the water drops toward 15.0°C, a 3/2mm to 5/4mm wetsuit is recommended.
