INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Crete Water Temperature
Updated Sat 14:59 (Europe/Athens)
Greece · Forecast updated Nov 7, 2026, 14:59 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
21.8°C
71.2°F
Cool water
Valid Nov 7, 2026, 14:59 (Europe/Athens). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
0.7°C below
The typical November average is 22.5°C (72.5°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Cooling by 0.3°C
Seven-day average: 21.9°C, versus 22.2°C in the prior seven days.
What to wear
Cool water
A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Cold tolerance varies. Wind, session length, sunshine, and exertion also affect comfort; temperature alone does not describe sea conditions or replace the snorkel forecast.
Typical Sea Temperature Over the Year
In the historical baseline for Crete, typical monthly averages range from about 17.0°C (62.6°F) in February to 27.3°C (81.1°F) in August.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Crete has been 22.7°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Northern Hemisphere. Summer is generally June–August; winter is December–February.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Crete, calculated from hourly observations for 2022–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17.7–18.3°C | 18.1°C / 64.6°F |
| February | 16.6–17.4°C | 17.0°C / 62.6°F |
| March | 16.7–17.7°C | 17.3°C / 63.1°F |
| April | 17.2–18.7°C | 17.9°C / 64.2°F |
| May | 19.3–20.6°C | 20.0°C / 68.0°F |
| June | 22.7–25.2°C | 23.8°C / 74.8°F |
| July | 26.1–26.5°C | 26.4°C / 79.5°F |
| August | 27.1–27.7°C | 27.3°C / 81.1°F |
| September | 26.0–26.8°C | 26.4°C / 79.5°F |
| October | 23.5–25.1°C | 24.6°C / 76.3°F |
| November | 22.0–23.0°C | 22.5°C / 72.5°F |
| December | 19.2–20.0°C | 19.6°C / 67.3°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (35.13, 24.71). Each month is the mean of yearly monthly means; the range is the lowest and highest of those yearly monthly means. Open-Meteo methodology.
Water temperature by month
Each month uses the 2022–2025 baseline. The range is the lowest and highest yearly monthly mean, not an hourly extreme.
Crete in January
Typical January water temperature near Crete is 18.1°C (64.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 17.7–18.3°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: December 19.6°C · February 17.0°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in February
Typical February water temperature near Crete is 17.0°C (62.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 16.6–17.4°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: January 18.1°C · March 17.3°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in March
Typical March water temperature near Crete is 17.3°C (63.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 16.7–17.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: February 17.0°C · April 17.9°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in April
Typical April water temperature near Crete is 17.9°C (64.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 17.2–18.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: March 17.3°C · May 20.0°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in May
Typical May water temperature near Crete is 20.0°C (68.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 19.3–20.6°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: April 17.9°C · June 23.8°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in June
Typical June water temperature near Crete is 23.8°C (74.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.7–25.2°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: May 20.0°C · July 26.4°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in July
Typical July water temperature near Crete is 26.4°C (79.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.1–26.5°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: June 23.8°C · August 27.3°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in August
Typical August water temperature near Crete is 27.3°C (81.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.1–27.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: July 26.4°C · September 26.4°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in September
Typical September water temperature near Crete is 26.4°C (79.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.0–26.8°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: August 27.3°C · October 24.6°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in September, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in October
Typical October water temperature near Crete is 24.6°C (76.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.5–25.1°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: September 26.4°C · November 22.5°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in November
Typical November water temperature near Crete is 22.5°C (72.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.0–23.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: October 24.6°C · December 19.6°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Crete in December
Typical December water temperature near Crete is 19.6°C (67.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 19.2–20.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: November 22.5°C · January 18.1°C.
Explore Crete sea temperature in December, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Forecast archive (growing)
These values come from hourly forecasts SnorkelForecast has stored. They cover only months with records and do not replace the historical baseline.
| Month | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 21.9°C / 71.4°F | 24.1°C / 75.4°F | 26.9°C / 80.4°F |
| July | 25.0°C / 77.0°F | 26.3°C / 79.3°F | 27.8°C / 82.0°F |
| August | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 26.7°C / 80.1°F | 27.9°C / 82.2°F |
| September | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 26.3°C / 79.3°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| October | 21.6°C / 70.9°F | 23.4°C / 74.1°F | 25.3°C / 77.5°F |
| November | 21.4°C / 70.5°F | 21.8°C / 71.2°F | 22.3°C / 72.1°F |
Partial coverage: 6 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 3839 hourly forecast records across 6 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Crete
Largest Greek island with clear coves, caves and warm Libyan Sea shallows.
- Area
- Crete
Crete Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Crete today?
The current sea surface temperature near Crete is 21.8°C (71.2°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 22.7°C.
When is the water warmest in Crete?
The water is typically warmest in August, at around 27.3°C (81.1°F) in the 2022–2025 historical baseline.
When is the water coldest in Crete?
The water is typically coldest in February, at around 17.0°C (62.6°F) in the same historical baseline. A wetsuit is usually recommended during this period.
Can you swim in Crete today?
At 21.8°C, the water is usually comfortable for swimming and snorkeling.
Full Snorkeling Forecast
See how today's sea temperature, wave height, wind, and tides combine into a detailed snorkeling score for Crete.
View Snorkel Forecast →