Wind from the north
- AmmoudiShelter score 96 of 100
- Elafonisi BeachShelter score 96 of 100
- Varkotopos beachShelter score 96 of 100
- AmmosShelter score 96 of 100
- Damnoni BeachShelter score 96 of 100
- Karavostasi beachShelter score 96 of 100
Sheltered beaches in Crete today
Which side of Crete is sheltered from today's wind? 393 beaches ranked live, updated every 2 hours.
From us
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Tavernas, cafés, sunbed rentals and shops: a basic listing on these pages is free.
At a glance
Crete beaches at a glance
- 393
- Mapped beaches
- 105
- Sandy beaches
- 63
- Pebble beaches
- 269
- With a bar or taverna close by
- 21
- Secluded beaches
- 9
- With a lifeguard
- 250
- Parking close by
Most beaches face south (108). Wind from that side reaches them first; wind from the opposite side leaves them sheltered.
Shelter by wind direction
Which beaches are sheltered in each wind?
Wind direction decides everything. These are the Crete beaches that stay most sheltered, and the ones that get roughest, in a strong wind (6 Bft) from each direction. It is computed from how much open sea lies upwind of each beach.
Wind from the east
- Palm Bay BeachShelter score 96 of 100
- Falasarna beachShelter score 96 of 100
- AmmosShelter score 96 of 100
- Geropotamos beachShelter score 96 of 100
- KalathasShelter score 96 of 100
- Kommos BeachShelter score 96 of 100
Roughest
Wind from the south
- Palm Bay BeachShelter score 96 of 100
- Aelos BeachShelter score 96 of 100
- Episkopi beachShelter score 96 of 100
- GeorgioupoliShelter score 96 of 100
- Georgioupolis BeachShelter score 96 of 100
- Livadi beachShelter score 96 of 100
Roughest
Wind from the west
- AlmyrosShelter score 96 of 100
- AmmoudiShelter score 96 of 100
- Palm Bay BeachShelter score 96 of 100
- GeorgioupoliShelter score 96 of 100
- Palm Beach VaiShelter score 96 of 100
- Varkotopos beachShelter score 96 of 100
Roughest
Beach guides
More guides for Crete
A guide for every kind of beach, each one re-ranked live for today's wind.
- 164 beachesSheltered beachesFlat water when the wind picks up
- 125 beachesFamily beachesEasy to reach, with facilities close by
- 75 beachesSandy beachesSoft sand underfoot
- 108 beachesOrganized beachesSunbeds, tavernas and lifeguards
- 101 beachesBeach barsA drink a few steps from the sea
- 21 beachesSecluded beachesAway from roads and crowds
- 24 beachesSunset beachesFacing the open sea to the west
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Crete, month by month
The average temperature of the sea near the beaches of Crete, from 30 years of satellite measurements (NOAA, 1991–2020).
Warm-water seasonJun – Oct≥ 22 °C
Warmest month26 °CAugust
Coldest month16 °CFebruary
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17° | 16° | 16° | 17° | 19° | 22° | 25° | 26° | 25° | 23° | 21° | 18° |
The sea is 22 °C or warmer from June to October, and warmest in August, at about 26 °C.
Sea temperature: NOAA OISST v2.1, average of 1991–2020 (public domain). Close to the shore the water can be a degree or two warmer or cooler.
Best time to go
When to go to Crete
Crete is busiest in August. In May and October there are about half as many visitors, or fewer. For a flat sea and fewer people, the best months are May and October.
In the swimming season (May to October) the least windy month on Crete is May, with an average wind of 16 km/h. The windiest is July, at 21 km/h. The wind is usually lighter in the morning and builds up in the afternoon, so go early on windy days.
- Visitors
- Sea temperature
- Best
Crete: wind and weather month by month
Average conditions for every month near Crete, from 25 years of satellite-based weather data (2001–2025). Wind is the average at 10 m height; the sea close to the shore can differ.
| Month | Wind | Temp | Sea | Rain (mm/day) | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23 km/h W | 13° | 17 °C | 2.8 | Quiet |
| February | 23 km/h NW | 13° | 16 °C | 2.6 | Quiet |
| March | 21 km/h NW | 14° | 16 °C | 1.4 | Quiet |
| April | 19 km/h NW | 16° | 17 °C | 0.8 | Quiet |
| May | 16 km/h NW | 20° | 19 °C | 0.5 | Moderate |
| June | 18 km/h NW | 24° | 22 °C | 0.2 | Busy |
| July | 21 km/h NW | 26° | 25 °C | 0.1 | Peak |
| August | 20 km/h NW | 26° | 26 °C | 0.1 | Peak |
| September | 19 km/h NW | 24° | 25 °C | 0.6 | Busy |
| October | 18 km/h NW | 21° | 23 °C | 1.4 | Moderate |
| November | 19 km/h NW | 18° | 21 °C | 1.8 | Quiet |
| December | 22 km/h NW | 15° | 18 °C | 2.8 | Quiet |
Historical data: NASA POWER, CC BY 4.0. Visitor levels are nights spent in tourist accommodation in the Crete region (Eurostat, average of 2023–2025), compared with its busiest month. They show when the area is busy, not how many people are on a given beach.
Crete: November through the years
Average conditions for November near Crete, from 25 years of satellite-based weather data (2001–2025).
On average 19 km/h and 18° in November. Least windy year on record: 2019 · windiest: 2005.
Show all 25 years
| Year | Wind | Temp | Rain (mm/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 km/h SW | 20° | 2.2 |
| 2024 | 21 km/h NW | 18° | 1.0 |
| 2023 | 20 km/h W | 21° | 1.1 |
| 2022 | 19 km/h NW | 18° | 1.5 |
| 2021 | 17 km/h NW | 18° | 1.3 |
| 2020 | 22 km/h N | 18° | 3.0 |
| 2019 | 16 km/h SW | 20° | 1.9 |
| 2018 | 21 km/h N | 18° | 3.2 |
| 2017 | 18 km/h W | 18° | 1.1 |
| 2016 | 18 km/h NW | 18° | 1.8 |
| 2015 | 18 km/h NW | 18° | 1.0 |
| 2014 | 19 km/h NW | 18° | 1.0 |
| 2013 | 19 km/h W | 19° | 1.2 |
| 2012 | 22 km/h N | 19° | 1.8 |
| 2011 | 21 km/h N | 15° | 1.1 |
| 2010 | 18 km/h S | 20° | 1.2 |
| 2009 | 20 km/h NW | 18° | 1.6 |
| 2008 | 17 km/h NW | 18° | 1.1 |
| 2007 | 20 km/h W | 18° | 2.3 |
| 2006 | 17 km/h NW | 16° | 1.7 |
| 2005 | 22 km/h NW | 17° | 2.8 |
| 2004 | 22 km/h NW | 18° | 3.1 |
| 2003 | 16 km/h N | 18° | 3.0 |
| 2002 | 16 km/h SW | 19° | 2.0 |
| 2001 | 21 km/h W | 17° | 3.3 |
Every beach
Beaches on Crete
393 beaches mapped. The most sheltered first, then every other beach with a name; each one opens its own page.
- AmmoudiSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- Balos BeachSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- Karavostasi beachSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- MirabelloSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- Stavros BeachSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- Aspri LimniSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- CalypsoSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- KoulouraSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- MartsaloSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- Seitan Limania BeachSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- VathySheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- VoulolimniSheltered in 8 of 8 winds
- AmmosSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Eastern GulfSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Golden BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Golden BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Kalimera BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Livadi beachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Maherida Nudist BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Matala BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Meatemaki BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Nea Chora beachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Palm Bay BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Paralia Agion ApostolonSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Paralia VliteSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Schinaria BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- SchismaSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Varkotopos beachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- VoulismaSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Agia Pelagia BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Agios OnoufriosSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Amatos beachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Finikas BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- KaravostasiSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Koutalas BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Lissos BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- LoutrakiSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Lygaria BeachSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- MarathiSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
- Paralia TersanasSheltered in 7 of 8 winds
More beaches on Crete (228)
- Aelos Beach
- Afrata Beach
- Afrathia
- Aghios Pavlos Beach
- Agia Fotia
- Agia Marina Beach
- Agia Marina Beach
- Agiofarango
- Agios Charalampos Beach
- Agios Georgios
- Agios Nikitas
- Agios Panteleimonas
- Alatsolimni beach
- Aliori
- Almyros
- Alonáki Beach
- Ammofolos Beach
- Ammoudara Beach
- Ammoudi Beach
- Ammoudi Beach
- Analipsi
- Anaskelou
- Anatolika Beach
- Anidri Beach
- Aptera
- Argilos
- Argilos Beach
- Aspes
- Astropelekita Beach
- Atherina beach
- Avlaki Beach
- Balos
- Beach
- Beach of Telonio
- Blue Coast
- Botzalaki beach
- Boufos Beach
- Chalepa Beach
- Chavania
- Chiona beach
- Chiona Beach
- Chironisia Beach
- Chrysostomos
- Damnoni Beach
- Diktina Beach
- Domata beach
- Dragon’s Beach
- Dynonissos beach
- Elafonisi Beach
- Eligias
- Episkopi beach
- Falasarna beach
- Falassarna
- Filaki
- Finikidia Beach
- Fodele Beach
- Fotinari Beach
- Georgioupoli
- Georgioupolis Beach
- Gerondolakkos beach
- Geropotamos beach
- Gialopotama Beach
- Gianiskari sandy beach
- Gramméno Beach
- Hohlakas
- Ilingas Beach
- inofficial beach
- Itanos Beach
- Joana beach
- Kakkos
- Kalamaki
- Kalami beach
- Kalami Beach
- Kalamia Beach
- Kalathas
- Kalivaki Beach
- Kalyves
- Karavovrysi
- Karoumes
- Karterou
- Katalyki
- Katarti
- Katsouni nudist beach
- Kedrodasos
- Kefala Beach
- Kendrodasos
- Kera
- Keratokambos
- Keratokambos
- Kiani Beach
- Kitroplatia
- Klima Beach
- Klimata
- Kokkines Plakes
- Kokkino Volakas
- Kommos Beach
- Korakas Beach
- Korfalonas Beach
- Koudouma
- Kouremenos
- Kouremenos Beach
- Koutelos Beach
- Krassas beach
- Krinakia beach
- Krios Beach
- Lakki Beach
- Legamenis Beach
- Leprias
- Ligres Beach
- Limni Beach
- Limnionari
- Listis
- Listis
- Livari beach
- Lycos Beach
- Macha
- Made
- Makriá Ámmos
- Máleme Beach
- Marathi beach
- Maridaki
- Maridati Beach
- Marmara Beach
- Mavros Molos
- Mazida Ammos beach
- Melissa Sandhills
- Methexis
- Mikri Triopetra Beach
- Mikro Ammoudi Nudist Beach
- Mogli's Beach
- Moni Kapsa Beach
- Mononaftis Beach
- Nisos Beach
- Nopigia Beach
- Onerock Beach
- Orthi Ammos
- Pachia Ammos
- Pachia Ammos
- Pahia Ammos Nudist Beach
- Palaiokastro Beach
- Palaria
- Paligremnos Beach (Nudist)
- Palm Beach Vai
- Pantanassa
- Paralia Diaskari
- Paralia Drapanias
- Paralia Fragokastellou
- Paralia Katevati
- Paralia Koum Kapi (Kum Kapisi)
- Paralia Lagada
- Paralia Maufomouri
- Paralia Nea Chora
- Paralia Nopigia
- Paralia Potamos
- Paralia Vlichadia
- Peninsula Private Beach
- Pera Galini
- Pera Koutelos
- Peristeres Beach
- Plaka
- Plaka
- Plakaki
- Plakaki Beach
- Plakias
- Plakias
- Platanakia
- Platanias beach
- Podare Beach
- Polyrizos Beach
- Poros
- Potamos municipal beach
- Prasonisi Beach
- Preveli Beach
- Psaromoura beach
- Psili Ammos
- Psili Ammos
- Psili Ammos Beach
- Psilos Volakas Beach
- Rapaniana Beach
- Red Beach
- Rethymnon Beach
- Richtis Beach
- Salamias
- Sandy Beach
- Saradari
- Saradari Nude Beach
- Sedoni
- Sfakos Beach
- Skinias Beach
- Skinos Beach
- Skouros
- Souda Beach
- Sougia Beach
- Sougia Beach
- Sougia Nude Beach
- Spilies beach
- Star Beach
- Stavri Beach
- Stena
- Stomio beach
- Stoney Beach
- Sunset Beach
- Sweet Kolymbos
- Sweet Water Beach
- Tavronitis
- Thalassi beach
- Thanasis
- Tholos Beach
- Timios Stavros beach
- Tiny beach pink sand
- Trachilias Beach
- Trachilos Beach
- Trachoulas
- Trahili Beach
- Triopetra Beach
- Triopetra Beach
- Tripiti
- Tripiti Beach
- Trochalou Beach
- Vatalos Beach
- Vlichada
- Vlihi Nero beach
- Vlyhada beach
- Volia
- Vourlia beach
- Vrisi
- Vryonisi
- White Beach
Which side of Crete is sheltered in a north wind?
In a strong north wind the beaches of Crete facing south and south-west stay most sheltered: Afrata Beach, Agia Fotia, and Agia Marina Beach. Beaches facing north are exposed to it.
How do you know which beaches are sheltered?
For every beach we measured how much open sea lies in each of 16 compass directions, using OpenStreetMap coastlines. Waves build over open water, so a beach with land close by in the direction the wind comes from is sheltered. Today's wind forecast from MET Norway is then applied, and the result is refreshed every 2 hours.
Are the forecasts reliable?
They are estimates. The model does not include swell from distant storms, and local gusts can be stronger than forecast. Always follow lifeguard flags and local warnings.
Which wind direction matters on Crete?
The direction more than the strength. A beach is rough when the wind blows from the open sea towards it and flat when land lies upwind, so on a windy day one side of Crete can be flat while the other has waves. That is why this page lists the most sheltered and the roughest beaches for each wind direction, and the live ranking above applies today's forecast.
When is the sea flattest on Crete?
In the swimming season (May to October) the least windy month on Crete is May, with an average wind of 16 km/h. The windiest is July, at 21 km/h. The wind is usually lighter in the morning and builds up in the afternoon, so go early on windy days.
When is Crete least crowded?
Crete is busiest in August. In May and October there are about half as many visitors, or fewer. For a flat sea and fewer people, the best months are May and October.
How warm is the sea in Crete?
The sea is 22 °C or warmer from June to October, and warmest in August, at about 26 °C.
Keep exploring