Destination guide
Gouves weather by month
June to August is the strongest period for a beach holiday in Gouves, with the hottest days reaching an average of 30°C. The catch is midday heat and warm nights, so it suits travellers happy to slow down in the afternoon. May offers gentler warmth at 25°C, while September stays summery at 28°C with a warmer sea than spring. For walking rather than swimming, spring and autumn offer more comfortable daytime conditions, though rain becomes more of a consideration.
The climate here is within a degree of Crete, so if you are choosing between the two, the weather will not decide it for you.
- Hottest month
- 30.4°CJuly
- Coolest month
- 14.2°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 25.8°CAugust
- Flight from London
- 4 h 6 minShort-haul (up to 4.5 h) · estimated
Gouves, month by month
Month-by-month detail pages exist for our most searched destinations; for Gouves the 12-month table below carries the full picture.
A little perspective
Gouves through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.2°C | 8.2°C | 16.2°C | 3.8 | 80 | 13 | 0% |
| February | 14.8°C | 8.0°C | 15.6°C | 4.6 | 73 | 11 | 1% |
| March | 17.2°C | 9.0°C | 15.7°C | 5.9 | 62 | 9 | 2% |
| April | 20.7°C | 11.4°C | 16.6°C | 7.7 | 39 | 6 | 14% |
| May | 25.1°C | 15.3°C | 19.3°C | 9.9 | 36 | 5 | 51% |
| Junebest | 28.9°C | 19.4°C | 22.8°C | 12.8 | 12 | 2 | 88% |
| Julybest | 30.4°C | 21.7°C | 25.1°C | 13.7 | 4 | 1 | 99% |
| Augustbest | 30.4°C | 22.0°C | 25.8°C | 12.6 | 6 | 1 | 100% |
| September | 28.1°C | 19.7°C | 24.9°C | 10.1 | 22 | 4 | 81% |
| October | 24.1°C | 16.5°C | 23.0°C | 6.5 | 39 | 6 | 39% |
| November | 19.5°C | 12.9°C | 20.4°C | 4.3 | 51 | 8 | 6% |
| December | 15.6°C | 9.9°C | 18.0°C | 3.5 | 76 | 12 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Gouves
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: May, June, July, August, September. January is the wettest month (80 mm, about 13 rainy days) and July the driest (4 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 25.8°C and coolest in February at 15.6°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER, 12 km from Goúves) takes roughly 4 h 6 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Athens.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Gouves between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.1°C on 12 August 2002; the coldest fell to 0.3°C on 14 February 2004. In July one day in ten tops 34.8°C and about 50% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 5.6°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was February 2019 with 274 mm, against a February average of 73 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Gouves
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:27 | 17:28 | 10.0 h | 3.8 h |
| February | 07:06 | 18:00 | 10.9 h | 4.6 h |
| March | 06:29 | 18:26 | 11.9 h | 5.9 h |
| April | 06:46 | 19:51 | 13.1 h | 7.7 h |
| May | 06:14 | 20:16 | 14.0 h | 9.9 h |
| June | 06:03 | 20:35 | 14.5 h | 12.8 h |
| July | 06:15 | 20:34 | 14.3 h | 13.7 h |
| August | 06:38 | 20:08 | 13.5 h | 12.6 h |
| September | 07:02 | 19:26 | 12.4 h | 10.1 h |
| October | 07:25 | 18:44 | 11.3 h | 6.5 h |
| November | 06:54 | 17:13 | 10.3 h | 4.3 h |
| December | 07:20 | 17:08 | 9.8 h | 3.5 h |
Winter into spring: better for time outdoors than sea swimming
December, January and February suit a break where swimming is not the priority and plans can change around rain. January averages 14°C by day and has 13 rain days, so bring a waterproof jacket and warm evening layers. February is only slightly warmer, while March brings a more noticeable lift in daytime warmth without much improvement in sea temperature. April is a useful turning point: days average 21°C, comfortable for walking without summer heat, but nights still call for a jacket. May feels much closer to beach weather, with 25°C days and longer sunny spells. The catch is the sea, averaging 19°C, which may feel brisk even when the air is warm.
Summer: the best beach weather, with hot afternoons
June brings a strong balance for travellers who want warm water without the hottest average days. Daytime temperatures reach 29°C and the sea averages 23°C, while rain is uncommon. July and August are the hottest stretch, both averaging 30°C by day with nights around 22°C. Plan active time for mornings and leave room for shade at midday; light clothing and sun protection matter more than extra layers. July has the most sunshine, while August has the warmest sea at 26°C. These months suit swimming-focused holidays, but they are less comfortable if you prefer cool evenings or spending the whole day walking.
Autumn: warm seas linger as the weather cools
September is a good alternative to high summer if you want slightly gentler heat without giving up warm-water swimming. Days average 28°C and the sea stays at 25°C, though rain is more likely than in July or August. October still offers useful warmth for outdoor plans, with 24°C days and a 23°C sea. Pack an evening layer and allow flexibility for wet weather rather than expecting uninterrupted beach days. November shifts the balance towards walking and relaxed time outdoors: daytime temperatures average 20°C, but cooler nights, less sunshine and more rain make it a weaker choice for a holiday centred on sunbathing.
A little more detail
Gouves weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Gouves?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Gouves are August, July and June. July is the hottest month (average high 30.4°C) and January the coolest (14.2°C).
How many months a year is Gouves over 25°C?
5 months in Gouves average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 7 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Gouves?
January is the wettest month in Gouves (80 mm on average) and July the driest (4 mm). Annual rainfall averages 500 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Gouves?
The hottest day recorded in Gouves between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.1°C on 12 August 2002; the coldest fell to 0.3°C on 14 February 2004. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is the sea warmest in Gouves?
August has the warmest sea, averaging 26°C. July and September are close behind at 25°C. If swimming comfort matters more than the highest daytime temperatures, September is a good compromise, with warm water and slightly cooler air.
Will I need a jacket in the evenings?
Bring an evening layer outside summer, especially in winter and early spring. April nights average 11°C, compared with 15°C in May and 16°C in October. July and August nights average 22°C, so lighter clothing is generally more practical then.
Which months give me the best chance of avoiding rain?
July and August are the driest choices by frequency, each averaging 1 rain day. June is also a strong option with 2 rain days. That makes summer best for weather-dependent plans, although dry conditions are not guaranteed throughout your stay.
See also: Greece weather by month · where else is hot in July
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Goúves. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 1.9 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C