Greek summers are famous for the meltemi, a dry northerly wind that blows mostly from July to early September, strongest in the Cyclades. It keeps the heat bearable – but it also decides which beaches are pleasant and whether your boat trip will run.
Beaufort in plain words
- 0–3 Bft – calm: flat or gentle sea. Perfect for swimming, kayaks and boat trips.
- 4–5 Bft – breezy: small waves on exposed beaches. Ferries run normally; small boats may be bumpy.
- 6 Bft – strong: rough sea. Boat trips and small boats usually cancel; high-speed ferries can be delayed or cancelled.
- 7+ Bft – gale: very rough sea. The Port Authority may keep ferries in port. Keep a buffer day before your flight.
How to plan around the wind
- With a northerly wind, choose south-facing beaches – they are sheltered and the water is calm.
- Plan boat trips for the calmest day of the week.
- Leave a day between your last ferry and your flight home in July and August.
- Conventional ferries cope with wind better than small high-speed boats.
Every destination page on Summer Day has a 7-day forecast explained in plain words, a “check my travel days” tool and a beach finder that shows which beaches are calm today.
