We are just about ready to book our trip to Mykonos, Santorini, Chania and Athens, but I have one more question for those experts on Greece...

We were going to book May 31 - June 15, but now are thinking about moving it up to May 16 - June 1.

My concern is the weather in Mykonos and Santorini. We would like to spend time on the beach but not necessarily swimming. I also heard that the wind can be an issue in May.

I would appreciate your help with this question. Thanks.

I was on Santorini from May 12-June 7 last year. The weather was, for the most part, wonderful. There was some wind from time to time but it was never strong enough to deter me from going swimming. I can't speak to the wind at the beaches on the opposite side of the island, but below Oia the wind was not much of a factor. That's not to say it didn't blow some, but for most of the time it was calm.

The may period sounds the best, perhaps you may find the crowds in that time of the year, a bit less than the June period. I believe May is considered to be spring weather, with temps around 26 degrees.
A greek friend told me that the islands closer to Crete & Rhodes experience warmer weather in May, than those in a higher latitude, or closer to Athens.

If I were you, I'd go with the June dates. Chances are you'll get a much warmer weather than in May, even if you're not so keen on swimming. As about the wind, the Aegean Sea is rather unpredictable. Especially in July/August, the aegean islands experience heavy winds, but usually things are a lot better in May/June.
Good luck!

I would keep the May 31 to June 15. The 13 years I lived on Mykonos, Naxos and Samos, I found it a little too cool for swimming in May. Wind you can have most any time, but the water does warm up around June. There should not be great crowds in June Have a wonderful trip. Joan

The later you go, the better the weather. May was pleasant last year, but the year before was cold and windy. I was in the Cyclades from the middle of May in 2004, and the beaches were bearable if you could find shelter from the wind. Some evenings were so cold that customers in the tavernas were driven indoors.

This was unusual, I'll admit, but to be relatively sure of good weather, stick with your May 31-Jun 1 plans. It may still be windy, but the winds will be warmer.