Crete in September
Warm sea, fewer people and long days; why September suits a Plakias holiday so well.
Planning your trip
Plakias weather by month
Plakias gets long, dry summers, a warm sea from late spring to autumn and a reputation for wind. Here is what each month is typically like, and how to plan your sea days around the weather.
Plakias sits on the south coast of Crete, facing the Libyan Sea, with the mountains of the Rethymno region behind it. That position shapes the weather more than anything else. The summers are long, hot and almost rain-free, the sea stays warm well into autumn, and the wind can be a character in its own right.
The numbers below are typical ranges for this stretch of coast, not forecasts. Any given week can run warmer or cooler. For the days you are actually here, check a forecast a few days ahead, or message us and we will tell you what we are seeing.
| Month | Typical day high | Typical sea | Wind and sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15–17 °C | 16–17 °C | Wettest and windiest stretch, rough days common |
| February | 15–17 °C | 16–17 °C | Changeable, rain and wind come and go |
| March | 17–19 °C | 16–17 °C | Mixed; the sea is at its coolest |
| April | 19–22 °C | 17–18 °C | Warming, south winds can bring swell and dust |
| May | 23–26 °C | 19–21 °C | Often settled, some breezy days |
| June | 27–29 °C | 22–24 °C | Settled, clear water, calm mornings |
| July | 29–32 °C | 24–26 °C | Hot and dry; north wind can blow for days |
| August | 29–32 °C | 25–26 °C | Warmest sea; strong north wind spells |
| September | 27–29 °C | 25–26 °C | Warm sea, wind usually easing |
| October | 23–26 °C | 23–24 °C | Mostly fine, first autumn rain and south wind possible |
| November | 19–22 °C | 20–22 °C | Rain returns, more rough days |
| December | 16–18 °C | 18–19 °C | Wet and windy spells |
The sea: see the water temperature guide
The sea lags behind the air by a month or two, which is why September is often as warm in the water as July. We keep the month-by-month sea figures, what to wear and how far you can see in one place: our water temperature guide. This page sticks to the air, the wind and how to plan your days around them.
The wind: why Plakias has a reputation
If you read reviews of Plakias, you will see the wind mentioned. It is fair. Here is how it works, in plain terms.
The summer north wind. In July and August the Aegean gets the meltemi, a dry north wind that can blow for several days at a time. On the north coast of Crete it arrives straight off the sea. On the south coast it has to cross the mountains first, and it comes down the other side in gusts. Around Plakias that can mean a bright, hot day with sudden strong blasts on the beach, sand in the air and umbrellas at risk. Because the wind is blowing from the land out to sea, the water close to shore can stay fairly flat while the sea further out turns white. It also means an inflatable or a weak swimmer can be carried away from the beach faster than expected.
When the north wind blows for a while, it pushes the warm surface water away from the coast and cooler water rises to replace it. On those days the sea near the shore can feel noticeably cooler than the averages suggest, and it is usually clearer, too.
South winds. Less common in high summer, south winds come across the Libyan Sea from Africa. They bring swell straight onto the south-facing beaches, and in spring and autumn they sometimes bring a haze of fine dust. A south wind day is the one where the sea at Plakias looks rough from the shore.
Calm days. Plenty of days have little wind at all, especially in June and September. Even on windy days, mornings are usually calmer than afternoons.
Rain and sun
Rain falls mostly between November and March. From late May to September it rarely rains at all, and the risk of a washed-out beach day is very low. The first autumn rains usually arrive in October or November, often as short, heavy showers followed by clear skies.
The summer sun is strong. From June to September, plan shade for the middle of the day, drink more water than you think you need, and use proper sun protection in and out of the sea. Our guide to things to do in Plakias suggests how to build days that keep the hottest hours for lunch and rest.
What the weather means for snorkelling and diving
Snorkelling and diving need calm water and good visibility more than they need heat, so the wind decides more than the thermometer does:
- Mornings are usually best. Calm, clear mornings are the norm on this coast rather than the exception, even in the windy weeks.
- The spot follows the wind. There is more than one bay around Plakias, and on a given day one is often calmer than another. We know our dive sites and snorkelling spots well enough to choose between them by the wind.
- South wind clouds the water. A few days of wind from the south push swell onto this coast and stir up the shallows. It passes, usually within a day or two.
- Cold ends a swim before tiredness does. Even in summer, a long time in the water is cooler than a quick dip. The water temperature guide has the suit for each month.
If you are not sure how your dates will look, message us. We would rather tell you honestly what the sea usually does than have you plan a trip around a calm week that is not likely.
Choosing your month
- May: fresh and green, quieter, the sea still cool early in the month. Good for walkers and for anyone who does not mind cooler water.
- June: long days, settled weather, warming sea. One of the best months overall.
- July and August: hottest, busiest and warmest water, with the strongest wind spells. Book accommodation early.
- September: warm sea, fewer people, often calmer wind. See our guide to Crete in September.
- October: the season winds down, the sea is still warm early in the month. See Crete in October.
Once you have picked your dates, compare the beaches around Plakias so you have a sheltered option for windy days, and see where to stay in Plakias if you are still choosing a base.
Plakias weather: common questions
- What is the sea temperature in Plakias?
- Typically 19–21 °C in May, climbing to 25–26 °C in August, and staying warm through September and into October. In late winter it is around 16–17 °C. Our water temperature guide has every month and what to wear.
- Is Plakias windy?
- Yes, it has that reputation, mostly because the summer north wind comes down over the mountains onto the south coast in gusts. Many days are calm, especially in the mornings, but it is worth planning some flexibility into beach days.
- What is the best month to visit Plakias?
- For warm water and settled weather, June and September are hard to beat. July and August are the hottest and busiest. May and October are quieter, with cooler water early in May and shorter days in October.
- What happens to snorkelling and diving on a windy day?
- The wind decides where we go rather than the other way round: on most days one bay around Plakias is calmer than another, and mornings are usually calmest. Send us your dates and we will tell you honestly what the sea usually does then.
Not sure what your dates will be like?
Send us your dates and we will tell you honestly what the sea is usually like then, and how flexible to be with your plans.
In the water with us
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