What to Expect of the Weather Whilst Sailing the Greek Islands

It’s a country that spends more than two-thirds of each year basking under sunny skies, so it would be wise to pack your shorts if you are sailing the Greek Islands, but did you know that the climate can vary dramatically depending on where you go in the country?

Greece boasts two distinct climatic regions: the northern and southern. Sailing the islands in the southern climate zone during the summer months should mean warm days even towards the end of the season. Crete is renowned for staying warm for the longest time, making it pleasurable to swim in the sea off its southern coast between the middle of April and November.

The rainy season in the south typically starts in the middle of October, although the amount of rainfall you can expect whilst sailing the Greek Islands and visiting the country as a whole during the summer months will also depend on exactly where you choose to sail and when. The region of Thessaly, for example, is extremely dry, whilst the western coast receives significantly more rain.

The average temperature across Greece is around 17 degrees, but the mercury can hit as high as 37 degrees during the summer. The southern Aegean islands have a typical Mediterranean climate of dry, hot summers and mild winters, as do the eastern and central areas of the Peloponnese.

In July and August, the eastern coast of the mainland, along with the Aegean islands, can experience the effects of the Meltemi. This is a strong wind from the north that does not affect more southerly areas and those in the west of the country.