#1 in May
20.4°C
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
20.4°
J
24.1°
J
26.4°
A
27.1°
S
25.8°
O
23.2°
N
20.4°
NOAA SATELLITE DATA (1991–2020 30-YEAR CLIMATOLOGY)
GRGreece Sea Temperature in May
Historical 30-year sea surface temperatures across 67 coastlines in Greece for May. Derived from NOAA 0.25° blended satellite and in-situ marine observations.
Climatology Notice: Temperatures represent the 30-year long-term historical average (1991–2020 normal), not a live single-day sensor forecast.
18.9°C
Refreshing / Invigoratingaverage across 67 surveyed coastlines in Greece, May
- Ranges 18.1°C at Kolimbithra Beach to 20.4°C at St. Paul's Bay (Lindos).
- None of Greece’s 67 surveyed coastlines reach the 21°C swim threshold in May.
- On the national average, the water is above 21°C from 3 Jun to 29 Oct — about 148 days a year.
- 6.5°C cooler than Greece’s August peak of 25.4°C (see August).
Select Month
View 12-Month Annual Overview →Aegean Meltemi Winds vs Deep Ionian & Cretan Basins
In the Aegean Sea, strong dry northerly winds (the Meltemi) in July and August induce localized vertical water mixing and localized upwelling, keeping surface temperatures around 24–25°C despite scorching ambient air temperatures. In contrast, the sheltered southern Ionian and southern Crete reach 26.3–26.8°C.
Oceanographic Phenomenon:Meltemi Wind Mixing & Southern Solar Radiation
Thermal Lag Characteristic:Strong eastern Mediterranean thermal lag: October waters across Rhodes and Crete remain remarkably mild (22.8–23.5°C), warmer than early June (21.5°C).
Peak Bathing Average:August (26.3°C)
Statutory Tourism Sources:
chaniatourism.grvisit.corfu.grvisitgreece.grvisitkefaloniaisland.grmilos.grGreece Beaches in May
Individual coordinate lookups from NOAA 0.25° marine grid.
Showing 67 coastlines
Explore Sea Temperatures by Country
Spain(23.6°C)Italy(25.9°C)Turkey(27.3°C)France(22.4°C)Greece(25.4°C)Cyprus(27.7°C)Croatia(25.2°C)Albania(25.5°C)Montenegro(25.7°C)Malta(26.7°C)Bulgaria(25.1°C)Romania(24.7°C)Slovenia(25.4°C)Portugal(20.7°C)Poland(19°C)Sweden(18.3°C)Netherlands(18.5°C)Bosnia & Herzegovina(25.2°C)Monaco(24.6°C)Latvia(18.5°C)Estonia(18°C)Lithuania(18.8°C)Germany(18.6°C)Denmark(18°C)Norway(15.3°C)Belgium(18.7°C)Faroe Islands(10.9°C)United Kingdom(16.1°C)Ireland(15.9°C)Iceland(10.9°C)Finland(16.6°C)
