Climate - Saronic Islands (Greece)

The Saronic islands are situated in the gulf of the same name, between Attica and Argolis (the latter belonging to the Peloponnese peninsula), and have a Mediterranean climate, with mild, moderately rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. They are, in order of size: Salamis (the largest and only a short distance from Athens), Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Spetses, Dokos, and Angistri.
Here are the average temperatures in Hydra.

Rainfall is not abundant, since it amounts to about 500 millimeters (20 inches) per year on the coasts and at low altitudes, and follows the Mediterranean pattern, in fact, it is concentrated in the cold half of the year. In summer, it almost never rains, although a thunderstorm coming from the continent can sometimes reach the islands. Given the length of the dry season, the landscape is semi-arid, though it is greener in inland areas, where there are hills; the highest point in Hydra is Mount Eros, 592 meters (1,942 feet) high.
This is the average rainfall in Hydra.

Winter, from December to mid-March, is quite mild: daytime temperatures hover around 13/15 °C (55/59 °F). The rains are frequent, but there are also sunny days. Cold air masses from the north can bring cold periods, with highs around 5/7 °C (41/45 °F); moreover, the wind can increase the feeling of cold.

Spring, from mid-March to May, is mild, and it becomes progressively warmer, sunnier and drier over the weeks.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is hot and sunny. The Meltemi, the wind from the north-west, blows by mid-May, cooling the air, but less often than on the islands of the central Aegean Sea. Typically, the maximum temperatures remain around 30 °C (86 °F); occasionally, short periods of intense heat can occur, with highs around 38/40 °C (100/104 °F).

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is pleasantly warm and often sunny at first, then it gradually becomes milder, while the rains become more frequent.



The amount of sunshine on the Saronic islands is great in summer, when clear skies prevail, and it's very good in spring, while in autumn and winter, sunny periods alternate with others characterized by clouds and rain. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The temperature of the sea is warm enough for swimming from July to September. In June, on the contraty, it is still a bit cool. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to go to the Saronic islands for a beach holiday is the summer, from June to mid-September. In June, as mentioned, the sea is still cool.
It's better to bring a sweatshirt for cool evenings, which occur mostly in June. In May, not only the sea is still a bit cold, but also the air can be cool for sunbathing, at least on certain days.
If you want to go on excursions on the islands, you can choose the spring, for example in May, or maybe the first half of October, since in summer, it is sometimes very hot.

Back to the Greek Islands.