May vs. Oct: which is warmer? Is it warm enough for swimming
 

We will be in Santorini and Mykonos for 8 days in May. Have been to Santorini in October and it was getting a bit chilly (sunny and beautiful but windy). Our concern for May is that the weather will be similiar. Is it a bit warmer in May do you think? <BR>

Hi,<BR><BR>We were in Mykonos at the end of April several year ago and it was very warm, but the sea was too cold for swimming. My daughter was Greece in the middle of April, sailing the islands near the main land and she said it was too cold for sailing. I think it was so cold because the water is still cold. May will be warmer. Think of the Carolinas.

We were in Greece, Santorini and Mykonos in October 2000 and despite a few rainy days, we were able to swim both in the ocean (Saronic Gulf) and our hotel unheated pool. Actually the ocean water was unbelievably warm.. near Hydra for example, however it was colder water, but not unswimmable, in Santorini and it rained in Mykonos.

Mid-May on Mykonos, we encountered cool weather and an unbelievably windy (actually howled around the bldgs, as it does here in 'Burgh in winter) 3 days (each day the "fishermen" predicted that next day it would be calm; got so bad that cruise ships could not come into harbor and our departure by ferry was delayed)--probably just a fluke, but it does happen. Santorini was warm enough to swim in pool; I didn't try the sea.<BR>My guess is that the temp of water is actually higher in Oct, but air may be cooler. This was in '97.

janelle,<BR><BR>I was in Greece & the islands last October and it turned very cold and windy!!! Of course, one October isn't the same as the next!

janelle,<BR><BR>Sorry, I guess I didn't read your question properly before responding. <BR><BR>Sue

We were in Greece late May and found air temps very comfortable, though it was quite windy in Santorini. You definitely needed a sweater or light jacket at night, or any time the sun wasn't out. In the sun it was quite warm and we spent many hours baking on the beach. Water temps were cool but refreshing. Sea is probably warmer in October since it's had the summer to heat up, but not sure what the weather conditions are like at that time of year.