The sea temperature at Taormina (Isola Bella) today is 22.4 °C (72 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 21.8 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 21.9 to 22.2 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 26.5 °C to 22.4 °C. Swimmable from June 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 | 13.5°C / 56.2°F | 14.1°C / 57.3°F | 14.5°C / 58.1°F |
| February | 12.9°C / 55.2°F | 13.3°C / 55.9°F | 13.5°C / 56.3°F |
| March | 12.6°C / 54.7°F | 13.2°C / 55.7°F | 13.6°C / 56.5°F |
| April | 13.3°C / 55.9°F | 13.9°C / 57.0°F | 14.5°C / 58.0°F |
| May | 15.2°C / 59.3°F | 15.9°C / 60.6°F | 16.6°C / 61.8°F |
| June | 19.5°C / 67.1°F | 20.0°C / 68.1°F | 20.7°C / 69.3°F |
| July | 23.6°C / 74.5°F | 24.5°C / 76.0°F | 24.8°C / 76.7°F |
| August | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 25.6°C / 78.1°F | 26.8°C / 80.3°F |
| September | 23.8°C / 74.8°F | 24.5°C / 76.0°F | 25.1°C / 77.1°F |
| October | 21.2°C / 70.2°F | 21.8°C / 71.2°F | 22.5°C / 72.4°F |
| November | 18.5°C / 65.2°F | 18.9°C / 66.1°F | 19.7°C / 67.4°F |
| December | 14.8°C / 58.7°F | 15.7°C / 60.2°F | 16.2°C / 61.1°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.5°C / 50.8°F | 11.3°C / 52.3°F | 12.4°C / 54.3°F |
| February | 10.2°C / 50.4°F | 11.2°C / 52.1°F | 12.3°C / 54.1°F |
| March | 10.6°C / 51.2°F | 11.7°C / 53.1°F | 12.8°C / 55.0°F |
| April | 12.5°C / 54.5°F | 13.7°C / 56.6°F | 14.7°C / 58.4°F |
| May | 16.0°C / 60.7°F | 17.3°C / 63.1°F | 18.4°C / 65.1°F |
| June | 21.0°C / 69.8°F | 22.7°C / 72.8°F | 24.0°C / 75.2°F |
| July | 24.4°C / 75.8°F | 25.9°C / 78.7°F | 27.2°C / 81.0°F |
| August | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 25.6°C / 78.0°F | 26.7°C / 80.0°F |
| September | 21.9°C / 71.5°F | 23.0°C / 73.3°F | 23.8°C / 74.9°F |
| October | 18.5°C / 65.3°F | 19.4°C / 67.0°F | 20.3°C / 68.5°F |
| November | 15.2°C / 59.4°F | 16.0°C / 60.7°F | 16.8°C / 62.2°F |
| December | 12.0°C / 53.6°F | 12.8°C / 55.0°F | 13.7°C / 56.6°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Isola Bella holidays
Set on a terrace of Monte Tauro about 200 m above the Ionian Sea, Taormina is a hill town on the east coast of Sicily with views of Mount Etna to the south-west. Below it, the small island of Isola Bella lies in a cove joined to the shore by a narrow strip of pebbles, and has been a protected nature reserve since 1998.
Beaches
The beaches under Taormina are mostly pebbles, so water shoes help. Isola Bella can often be reached on foot across the shallow strip, and the island itself is visited with a ticket as part of the Naxos–Taormina archaeological park. Next door, Mazzarò is a small bay with beach clubs and clear water. For sand and a gentle slope that suits children, Giardini Naxos a few kilometres south has a long town beach. The sea temperature on this page is measured in the bay at Isola Bella.
Things to do
The ancient theatre of Taormina, built by the Greeks and rebuilt by the Romans, frames Etna and the coast behind its stage and still hosts concerts and the summer film festival. Corso Umberto runs through the old town from gate to gate, past Palazzo Corvaja and the Piazza IX Aprile terrace. The public gardens of Villa Comunale look over the sea, and a steep road climbs to the village of Castelmola. Day trips go to the craters of Etna and to the Alcantara gorges.
Weather and best time to visit
At Isola Bella the sea stays above 20 °C / 68 °F from June to October.
Summers in Taormina are hot and dry and the old town is busiest in July and August. May, June, September and October are warm and easier for walking. The scirocco, a hot wind from Africa, can bring haze and heat, and winters are mild with most of the rain.
Hotels and where to stay
The historic centre of Taormina puts the theatre and restaurants on the doorstep, but it is on the hill. Mazzarò and the coast by Isola Bella are for staying by the sea, linked to the centre by a cable car. Giardini Naxos is more affordable and flat.
Signature hotels: Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel · Mazzarò Sea Palace (Mazzarò)
Airport and getting there
Catania Airport (CTA) is about 60 km away, roughly an hour by car, while direct buses usually take around an hour and a half. Taormina-Giardini railway station on the Messina–Catania line lies on the coast below the town, with buses up to the centre, and a cable car links Mazzarò with the old town. Cars are restricted in the historic centre, so use the car parks at its edge. Messina, with ferries to the Italian mainland, is about 50 km north.