What are the typical weather conditions and winds in the Cyclades?
The Cyclades enjoy a classic Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. During the sailing season, particularly from late May through September, daytime temperatures typically range between 25–32°C, with long hours of sunshine—Greece averages around 300 sunny days per year.
A defining weather feature in the Cyclades is the Meltemi, a strong, dry northerly wind that most commonly occurs from July to September. While it offers welcome relief from the summer heat, the Meltemi can also bring challenging conditions for sailors, especially in the more exposed areas of the central Aegean Sea. It’s known for blowing steadily for several days at a time and can produce rough seas and strong gusts.
That said, the Meltemi is a well-documented and reliably forecast phenomenon. With good planning, it’s entirely manageable—many sailors choose to adjust their routes or time their passages to take advantage of lighter winds in the early morning or find shelter in protected anchorages until conditions ease.
For confident sailors, the Meltemi adds an exhilarating edge to an already spectacular sailing experience in the Cyclades.
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