The Best Time to Sail in Greece — and When the Meltemi Blows
Greece’s sailing season runs May to October, and the single most useful thing to understand before you book is the meltemi — the strong summer north wind that makes the Cyclades exhilarating for experienced crews and the sheltered Ionian and Saronic ideal for everyone else.
Match the month and the region to your crew: June and September are calmer and cheaper everywhere, while July and August bring the strongest meltemi to the Aegean.
Month by month
Typical air & sea temperatures, crowds and the feel of each month.
| Month | Air | Sea | Crowds | The feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 23°C | 19°C | Quiet | Islands green and flowering, light winds, cool sea — the calmest sailing of the year. |
| June | 27°C | 22°C | Moderate | Warm, long days, the meltemi not yet settled in. The best all-round month. |
| July | 29°C | 24°C | Peak | The meltemi arrives in the Cyclades; the Ionian and Saronic stay calm. |
| August | 30°C | 25°C | Peak | Strongest meltemi and biggest crowds in the Aegean; superb downwind sailing for the experienced. |
| September | 27°C | 24°C | Moderate | The wind eases, the sea stays warm, the crowds thin — many sailors’ favourite month. |
| October | 23°C | 22°C | Quiet | Soft light, quiet anchorages, warm water into early autumn. |
The winds, explained
The named winds that shape when and where the sailing is easiest in Greece.
Meltemi
North- Character
- Dry and strong — force 5–7 at its peak in the Cyclades
- When
- Mainly mid-July to early September, sometimes for days at a time
- On charter
- The Cyclades (Mykonos, Paros, Naxos) get the full force — thrilling for experienced crews but demanding, and it can pin you in port. The Ionian (Corfu, Lefkada) and the Saronic Gulf are largely sheltered from it.
Ionian afternoon breeze
Northwest- Character
- Gentle thermal breeze
- When
- Summer afternoons in the Ionian
- On charter
- A light, reliable afternoon wind and no meltemi make the Ionian the easiest, most family-friendly sailing in Greece.
Best time for…
August (25°C), with September nearly as warm and far calmer.
June or September in the Ionian or the Saronic Gulf — sheltered and short-hop.
July–August in the Cyclades for full-force meltemi downwind runs.
May and October; June and September for the best all-round balance.
Common questions
When does the meltemi blow in Greece?
The meltemi is a strong, dry north wind that blows across the Aegean mainly from mid-July to early September, occasionally for several days at a time. It is strongest in the Cyclades and can reach force 5–7 in the afternoons. The Ionian and Saronic gulf are largely sheltered from it.
Which Greek islands are windy, and which are calm?
The Cyclades (Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios) are the windiest in high summer thanks to the meltemi — great for experienced sailors. The Ionian islands (Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia) and the Saronic Gulf near Athens stay calm and sheltered, which suits families and first-timers.
When is the best time to sail in Greece?
June and September offer warm seas, settled weather, lighter crowds and gentler winds than the meltemi-heavy high summer. July–August is hottest, busiest and windiest in the Cyclades; May and October are quiet, cheaper and cooler.
Is it too windy to sail Greece in August with kids?
In the Cyclades, often yes — the meltemi can be strong and tiring. For a family August charter choose the Ionian or the Saronic Gulf instead, where the water is sheltered and the hops are short.