The sea temperature at Lefkada (Porto Katsiki) today is 21.6 °C (71 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 22.6 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 25.3 °C to 21.6 °C. Swimmable from May to November, 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 | 15.8°C / 60.4°F | 16.5°C / 61.6°F | 17.0°C / 62.6°F |
| February | 15.0°C / 59.0°F | 15.6°C / 60.0°F | 16.0°C / 60.9°F |
| March | 14.9°C / 58.8°F | 15.5°C / 59.8°F | 16.0°C / 60.7°F |
| April | 15.8°C / 60.4°F | 16.3°C / 61.4°F | 17.3°C / 63.1°F |
| May | 18.5°C / 65.2°F | 19.0°C / 66.2°F | 19.2°C / 66.6°F |
| June | 22.1°C / 71.8°F | 23.3°C / 74.0°F | 24.3°C / 75.7°F |
| July | 25.6°C / 78.1°F | 25.9°C / 78.7°F | 26.6°C / 79.8°F |
| August | 25.5°C / 77.8°F | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 27.8°C / 82.0°F |
| September | 24.7°C / 76.5°F | 25.2°C / 77.3°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F |
| October | 22.0°C / 71.5°F | 22.6°C / 72.8°F | 23.6°C / 74.5°F |
| November | 20.1°C / 68.2°F | 20.6°C / 69.1°F | 21.1°C / 69.9°F |
| December | 17.2°C / 63.0°F | 17.8°C / 64.0°F | 18.2°C / 64.8°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.1°C / 55.6°F | 13.3°C / 56.0°F | 13.6°C / 56.5°F |
| February | 12.6°C / 54.7°F | 12.9°C / 55.2°F | 13.4°C / 56.0°F |
| March | 13.1°C / 55.5°F | 13.5°C / 56.3°F | 14.0°C / 57.1°F |
| April | 15.0°C / 59.1°F | 15.5°C / 59.9°F | 15.9°C / 60.5°F |
| May | 18.3°C / 64.9°F | 18.7°C / 65.7°F | 19.2°C / 66.5°F |
| June | 22.7°C / 72.9°F | 23.2°C / 73.8°F | 23.7°C / 74.7°F |
| July | 25.5°C / 77.8°F | 25.9°C / 78.6°F | 26.2°C / 79.2°F |
| August | 25.9°C / 78.7°F | 26.3°C / 79.3°F | 26.6°C / 79.8°F |
| September | 23.6°C / 74.5°F | 23.9°C / 75.1°F | 24.2°C / 75.6°F |
| October | 20.3°C / 68.6°F | 20.7°C / 69.3°F | 21.1°C / 70.0°F |
| November | 17.7°C / 63.9°F | 18.0°C / 64.3°F | 18.3°C / 64.9°F |
| December | 14.6°C / 58.2°F | 14.8°C / 58.6°F | 15.0°C / 59.0°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Porto Katsiki holidays
Porto Katsiki is a cove of white pebbles and bright blue water below tall limestone cliffs on the south-west coast of Lefkada, an Ionian island in Greece joined to the mainland by a short causeway and floating bridge. The west coast of Lefkada, from Porto Katsiki north to Kathisma, is mostly steep cliffs with few buildings.
Beaches
Porto Katsiki is reached by a long flight of steps down from the cliff-top car park; summer cruises from Nidri and Vasiliki may also stop offshore for a swim, depending on the sea. The beach is small and gets crowded in the middle of the day, and the pebbles shelve quickly into deeper water. To the north, Egremni is a long beach below the cliffs whose access has changed after earthquakes, and Kathisma near Agios Nikitas has sand, beach bars and easier parking. On the calmer east coast of Lefkada, Nidri and Nikiana have gentle beaches suited to families.
Things to do
Cape Lefkatas, the southern tip of Lefkada near Porto Katsiki, has a lighthouse on the cliff where, according to legend, the poet Sappho leapt into the sea. Boat trips from Nidri go to Meganisi and around Skorpios, the island once owned by the Onassis family, and the Dimosari waterfalls are a short drive inland from Nidri, followed by a walk of 20 to 30 minutes. Vasiliki in the south is a windsurfing centre thanks to its steady afternoon wind, and Agios Nikitas is a small fishing village on the west coast.
Weather and best time to visit
From May to June the sea at Porto Katsiki gains about 4 °C (8 °F), its biggest monthly rise of the year.
Lefkada has hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, which keep Lefkada greener than the Aegean islands. July and August are the busiest months at Porto Katsiki, so arriving early or late in the day helps. June and September are warm and calmer, while the west coast can have waves when the wind blows from the north-west.
Hotels and where to stay
Lefkada Town and Nidri have the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, and Nikiana is a quieter strip on the east coast. Agios Nikitas and the village of Athani are the closest bases for the west-coast beaches, and Vasiliki suits windsurfers.
Signature hotels: Porto Galini Seaside Resort & Spa (Nikiana) · Hotel Grand Nefeli (Vasiliki)
Airport and getting there
Aktion National Airport (PVK) near Preveza is the closest to Lefkada, with many seasonal flights from Europe; Lefkada Town is about 25 minutes away by car, and Porto Katsiki about an hour and a half. Because Lefkada is linked to the mainland by road, it can also be reached by car or bus from Athens in around five hours, without a ferry.