The sea temperature at Crete (Balos Lagoon) today is 21.4 °C (71 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 23 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 21.3 to 21.4 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 24.9 °C to 21.4 °C. Swimmable from May to December, when the sea averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.5°C / 61.7°F | 17.2°C / 62.9°F | 17.4°C / 63.3°F |
| February | 15.6°C / 60.1°F | 16.1°C / 61.1°F | 16.5°C / 61.6°F |
| March | 15.5°C / 59.9°F | 16.0°C / 60.9°F | 16.6°C / 61.9°F |
| April | 16.1°C / 60.9°F | 16.7°C / 62.1°F | 17.7°C / 63.9°F |
| May | 18.1°C / 64.7°F | 18.8°C / 65.8°F | 19.2°C / 66.5°F |
| June | 22.0°C / 71.6°F | 22.7°C / 72.9°F | 23.6°C / 74.5°F |
| July | 24.7°C / 76.5°F | 25.3°C / 77.6°F | 25.8°C / 78.4°F |
| August | 25.8°C / 78.5°F | 26.5°C / 79.6°F | 27.0°C / 80.7°F |
| September | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 25.3°C / 77.6°F | 25.8°C / 78.4°F |
| October | 22.6°C / 72.7°F | 23.0°C / 73.4°F | 23.6°C / 74.5°F |
| November | 20.4°C / 68.6°F | 21.1°C / 69.9°F | 22.0°C / 71.6°F |
| December | 18.2°C / 64.7°F | 18.7°C / 65.7°F | 19.2°C / 66.5°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.7°C / 56.7°F | 14.1°C / 57.4°F | 14.6°C / 58.3°F |
| February | 12.8°C / 55.1°F | 13.3°C / 55.9°F | 13.9°C / 57.0°F |
| March | 13.5°C / 56.3°F | 14.2°C / 57.5°F | 14.9°C / 58.7°F |
| April | 15.5°C / 59.9°F | 16.3°C / 61.4°F | 17.1°C / 62.7°F |
| May | 18.4°C / 65.0°F | 19.2°C / 66.6°F | 20.0°C / 67.9°F |
| June | 22.5°C / 72.4°F | 23.5°C / 74.2°F | 24.4°C / 75.9°F |
| July | 25.4°C / 77.6°F | 26.2°C / 79.2°F | 27.0°C / 80.6°F |
| August | 25.6°C / 78.1°F | 26.4°C / 79.5°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F |
| September | 23.6°C / 74.4°F | 24.2°C / 75.6°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F |
| October | 20.4°C / 68.7°F | 21.0°C / 69.9°F | 21.7°C / 71.1°F |
| November | 18.3°C / 65.0°F | 18.8°C / 65.8°F | 19.4°C / 66.9°F |
| December | 15.3°C / 59.5°F | 15.6°C / 60.2°F | 16.2°C / 61.2°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Balos Lagoon holidays
At the north-western tip of Crete, between the Gramvousa peninsula and the rocky cape of Tigani, Balos is a shallow lagoon about 55 km west of Chania. Its white sand and pale turquoise water are protected as part of the Natura 2000 network, and there are no hotels at the lagoon itself, so visitors stay in Kaliviani, Kissamos or Chania.
Beaches
The Balos lagoon is only knee- to waist-deep in many places, which makes the water warm and calm for children, but there is almost no natural shade, so bring an umbrella. Some sunbeds are allowed in a marked area; the rest of the lagoon and the dunes are protected, and taking sand or shells is forbidden. On the west coast, Falasarna is a long sandy beach known for its sunsets, and the town beach of Kissamos has calm water and tavernas. The sea temperature on this page is measured in the bay beside the Balos lagoon.
Things to do
Boat trips from the port of Kissamos usually stop at Imeri Gramvousa, an islet crowned by a Venetian fortress, with a rusting shipwreck in its bay, before landing at Balos. Near Falasarna lie the remains of an ancient harbour, and the archaeological museum of Kissamos shows Roman mosaics. Chania, the second-largest city of Crete, has a Venetian harbour with a lighthouse and narrow lanes in the old town. Elafonisi on the south-west coast is about an hour's drive from Kissamos.
Weather and best time to visit
From May to June the sea at Balos Lagoon gains about 4 °C (7 °F), its biggest monthly rise of the year.
In north-west Crete, the beach season runs from about May to October. In July and August the Balos lagoon is crowded from late morning, when the boats arrive. The north wind of summer can make the sea choppy and cancel boat trips, so it is worth keeping a spare day.
Hotels and where to stay
Kissamos, a small town on the gulf of the same name, is a convenient base and the port for the boats to Balos, and the village of Kaliviani has a few hotels closer to the road access. Chania, about 40 km east, has far more hotels, restaurants and nightlife, and the beach villages of Platanias and Agia Marina lie on the coast just west of the city.
Signature hotels: Tella Thera (Kissamos) · Domes Noruz Chania (Chania)
Airport and getting there
Chania Airport (CHQ) is about an hour by car from Kissamos. Buses link Chania with Kissamos, and in summer boats sail to Balos from the port of Kissamos. By car, a dirt road of about 8 km leads from the village of Kaliviani to a car park, followed by a walk down to the lagoon of about 20 to 30 minutes, and a steeper climb back up.