Where to Go in August for Sun: 16 Destinations Ranked by Sea Temperature
August is when the Mediterranean is at its warmest. Sea temperature, heat, nights and rain for each place, based on official climate normals.
- 16 destinations compared
- 84°F sea in Antalya
- 0 in of rain in Rhodes and the Canaries
- Sept. 6 Labor Day 2027
Where is it sunny in August? All around the Mediterranean, but the water is not the same everywhere. August is when the sea peaks: 82 to 84°F in Antalya, Cyprus and Rhodes, 79°F in Crete, Malta, Mallorca and Corfu, 75 to 77°F in Croatia and Corsica. On the Atlantic side the air is warm but the water stays at 72 to 73°F. Farther away, it is the dry season in Bali, Zanzibar, Tahiti and Mauritius.
The figures below are climate normals published by each country’s national weather service and collected by the World Meteorological Organization, except Antalya, which comes directly from the Turkish State Meteorological Service. They describe a typical August, not the forecast for your trip, and heat waves can add several degrees. Each station is listed in the sources.
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- Which destination for which trip
- Sea at 82°F and above
- Sea at 79°F
- Sea at 75 to 77°F
- The Atlantic and Costa del Sol
- Southern Hemisphere dry season
- Comparison table
- Where not to go in August
- Dates, insurance and data
- FAQ
Which sunny destination in August for which trip
- Warmest water: Antalya (84°F), Cyprus and Rhodes (82°F).
- Warm sea, manageable heat: Crete (83°F afternoons, 79°F sea), Corsica or Dubrovnik.
- Escape the heat waves: the Canary Islands and Madeira, with 78 to 82°F afternoons and mild nights.
- Bucket-list trip: Bali, Zanzibar or Tahiti, in the middle of the dry season.
August rainfall at a glance:
- Rhodes 0 in
- Las Palmas 0 in
- Larnaca 0 in
- Heraklion 0 in
- Funchal 0.1 in
- Antalya 0.2 in
- Faro 0.2 in
- Málaga 0.2 in
- Malta 0.3 in
- Palma 0.7 in
- Corfu 0.7 in
- Mauritius 0.7 in
- Ajaccio 0.8 in
- Bali 1.0 in
- Tahiti 1.9 in
- Dubrovnik 2.3 in
Average August rainfall. Yellow: under 2.4 in. Light blue: 2.4 to 6 in. Dark blue: over 6 in.
Sea at 82°F and above: Antalya, Cyprus and Rhodes
The warmest water in the Mediterranean, in exchange for 87 to 93°F afternoons and nights that stay above 73°F.
1. Turkey: Antalya and the Lycian coast
Antalya: 93°F in the afternoon, 73°F at night, 0.2 in of rain, sea around 84°F.
The warmest water on this page. The big resorts of Lara, Belek and Side are built for the heat. Farther west, the Lycian coast between Kaş and Kalkan has coves like Kaputaş and a more low-key feel.
Good to know: in Antalya it rains on average less than one day in August. The real constraint is heat: sightsee early in the morning.
2. Cyprus
Larnaca: 92°F in the afternoon, 73°F at night, almost no rain, sea around 82°F.
Reliable sunshine and very warm water. The beaches of Ayia Napa and Cape Greco in the east, Paphos and its ancient sites in the west, the Troodos villages for cooler air.
Good to know: they drive on the left in Cyprus. Air conditioning is essential in August.
3. Greece: Rhodes
87°F in the afternoon, 73°F at night, no rain, sea around 82°F.
Nearly the same water as Antalya, with afternoons about 6°F cooler thanks to the wind. The medieval old town, Lindos and the east-coast beaches easily fill a week.
Good to know: the meltemi blows hard in August. The east coast, from Faliraki to Lindos, is more sheltered than the west.
Sea at 79°F: Crete, Malta, Mallorca and Corfu at their yearly peak
August’s best balance: water at its annual high and 83 to 88°F afternoons.
4. Greece: Crete
Heraklion: 83°F in the afternoon, 71°F at night, almost no rain, sea around 79°F.
The least hot destination in this section, thanks to the north wind. Chania and its lagoons in the west, Heraklion and Knossos in the center, quieter beaches on the south coast.
Good to know: Balos and Elafonissi are very busy in August. Go early, or take the boat to Balos from Kissamos.
5. Malta
Luqa: 87°F in the afternoon, 71°F at night, 0.3 in of rain, sea around 79°F.
English-speaking, compact and warm-watered. August is also the month of the village festas, with processions and fireworks.
Good to know: nights stay warm, around 71°F. Choose a place with air conditioning.
6. Spain: Mallorca
Palma: 88°F in the afternoon, 66°F at night, 0.7 in of rain over 3 days, sea around 79°F.
From the southeast coves to the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca keeps cooler nights than the eastern islands. The first late-summer storms appear toward the end of the month.
Good to know: August is the island’s busiest month. Book early, or aim for the northeast around Alcúdia for wider sandy beaches.
7. Greece: Corfu
Kerkyra: 88°F in the afternoon, 66°F at night, 0.7 in of rain over 3 days, sea around 79°F.
Green and less windy than the Cyclades, Corfu combines a Venetian old town with coves on the west coast. Nights are much cooler than the days.
Good to know: a few thunderstorms are possible late in the month. They rarely last long.
Sea at 75 to 77°F: Croatia and Corsica
Slightly cooler water, but 83 to 85°F afternoons and mountain scenery right by the sea.
8. Croatia: Dubrovnik and Split
Dubrovnik: 84°F in the afternoon, 71°F at night, 2.3 in over 5 days, sea around 77°F. Split: 85°F, 71°F at night, 1.7 in, sea around 77°F.
The Dalmatian coast and its islands, Hvar, Korčula and Brač, in full swing. It is the wettest destination on this page in August, mostly as short thunderstorms.
Good to know: Dubrovnik’s old town is very crowded in August. Stay a little outside, in Lapad or Cavtat, and visit early in the morning.
9. France: Corsica
Ajaccio: 83°F in the afternoon, 63°F at night, 0.8 in of rain over 3 days, sea around 75°F.
Cool nights make a real difference in midsummer. Southern beaches around Porto-Vecchio, the Gulf of Porto and Calvi in the northwest.
Good to know: August is Corsica’s busiest month, with French vacationers everywhere. Ferries, flights and places to stay book up months ahead.
The Atlantic and the Costa del Sol: 72 to 73°F water
Warm air, much cooler water. These are the safest picks against heat waves, especially the Canaries and Madeira.
10. Spain: the Costa del Sol
Málaga: 87°F in the afternoon, 70°F at night, 0.2 in of rain, sea around 73°F.
Far more bearable than Seville at 96°F. Málaga, Nerja and Marbella combine beaches, white villages and good flight connections.
Good to know: the Alboran Sea stays cooler than the rest of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, around 73°F.
11. Canary Islands and Madeira
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: 82°F in the afternoon, 71°F at night, no rain, sea around 73°F. Funchal: 78°F, 66°F at night, 0.1 in, sea around 73°F.
The steadiest islands on this page: no coastal heat waves, no rain and mild nights. Ideal with young kids or for hiking.
Good to know: the trade winds blow hard in summer. The south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria is the most sheltered.
12. Portugal: the Algarve
Faro: 84°F in the afternoon, 64°F at night, 0.2 in of rain on 1 day, sea around 72°F.
Guaranteed sun and cool nights, with the cliffs of Lagos and the Benagil sea cave. The coolest water on this page.
Good to know: the water is usually warmer in the east, toward Tavira, than in the west, toward Sagres.
The map below shows available places to stay and their rates for the dates you choose.
Farther away: the Southern Hemisphere dry season
South of the equator, August is the middle of winter: the dry season, with days around 80 to 85°F.
13. Indonesia: Bali
Denpasar: 85°F in the afternoon, 73°F at night, 1.0 in of rain over 4 days, sea around 81°F.
August is the driest month of the season in Denpasar. Ubud for the rice terraces, Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula for beaches, the Gili Islands or Nusa Penida as side trips.
Good to know: this is peak season. The best-rated places to stay sell out months ahead.
14. Tanzania: Zanzibar
84°F in the afternoon, 68°F at night, 6 rainy days on average, sea around 79°F.
White-sand beaches, Stone Town and, on the mainland, national parks in the heart of the dry season. August is a great month to combine safari and beach.
Good to know: the east coast around Paje is windy. The north, at Nungwi and Kendwa, is more sheltered for swimming.
15. French Polynesia: Tahiti
Tahiti-Faa’a: 83°F in the afternoon, 69°F at night, 1.9 in of rain, sea around 79°F.
The heart of the Polynesian dry season for Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, with nonstop flights from the US West Coast. August also opens the best window for humpback whale watching.
Good to know: overwater bungalows on Bora Bora sell out early for summer. Moorea has more choice at lower rates.
16. Mauritius
Port Louis: 80°F in the afternoon, 66°F at night, 0.7 in of rain over 5 days, sea around 75°F.
The Mauritius Meteorological Services count June to September as winter: dry, sunny and mild. Ideal for hiking and exploring the island, less so for swimming.
Good to know: with 75°F water and 66°F nights, this is not the warmest season. The west coast is the most sheltered from the trade winds.
Tours and activities to book ahead
A boat to Balos, a day trip to Hvar from Split, kayaking to the Benagil cave or whale watching off Moorea: in August, spots go fast. Our partner GetYourGuide lets you book these ahead. Check the meeting point, guide language and cancellation terms before paying.
See all activities on GetYourGuide
Comparison table: August by the numbers
August averages for one reference station per destination, from warmest sea to coolest.
| Station | High / low | Rain (days) | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antalya (Turkey) | 93 / 73°F | 0.2 in | 84°F |
| Larnaca (Cyprus) | 92 / 73°F | 0 in | 82°F |
| Rhodes (Greece) | 87 / 73°F | 0 in | 82°F |
| Denpasar (Bali) | 85 / 73°F | 1.0 in (4) | 81°F |
| Heraklion (Crete) | 83 / 71°F | 0 in | 79°F |
| Luqa (Malta) | 87 / 71°F | 0.3 in | 79°F |
| Palma (Mallorca) | 88 / 66°F | 0.7 in (3) | 79°F |
| Kerkyra (Corfu) | 88 / 66°F | 0.7 in (3) | 79°F |
| Zanzibar (Tanzania) | 84 / 68°F | (6) | 79°F |
| Tahiti-Faa’a | 83 / 69°F | 1.9 in | 79°F |
| Dubrovnik (Croatia) | 84 / 71°F | 2.3 in (5) | 77°F |
| Split (Croatia) | 85 / 71°F | 1.7 in | 77°F |
| Ajaccio (Corsica) | 83 / 63°F | 0.8 in (3) | 75°F |
| Port Louis (Mauritius) | 80 / 66°F | 0.7 in (5) | 75°F |
| Málaga (Costa del Sol) | 87 / 70°F | 0.2 in | 73°F |
| Las Palmas (Canary Islands) | 82 / 71°F | 0 in | 73°F |
| Funchal (Madeira) | 78 / 66°F | 0.1 in (2) | 73°F |
| Faro (Algarve) | 84 / 64°F | 0.2 in (1) | 72°F |
Temperatures rounded to the nearest degree. Rainy days are days with at least 0.04 in (1 mm) of rain, where the station publishes them. For Zanzibar, only the number of rainy days is shown because the published monthly total is not consistent.
Where not to go in August
- Seville, Marrakech and Athens: average highs of 96°F, 99°F and 92°F, more during heat waves.
- Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf: 106°F in Luxor, 105°F in Dubai, 102°F in Aqaba.
- Thailand and the Maldives: monsoon season, with 11.1 in in Phuket and 6.9 in in Malé.
- The Caribbean, Florida and Mexico: 9.9 in over 21 days in Martinique, 5.9 in in Miami, 4.3 in in Cancún. According to the National Hurricane Center, most hurricane activity falls between mid-August and mid-October.
- Cape Town: southern winter, 64°F afternoons and 3.0 in of rain.
Dates, insurance and staying connected
- Labor Day: Monday, September 6, 2027, the last long weekend of summer.
- August 15: Assumption Day is a public holiday across much of southern Europe, including France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Malta and Cyprus. Expect the biggest crowds of the year around that date.
- Meltemi: this north wind blows over the Aegean until mid-September, strongest in July and August.
- Atlantic hurricane season: June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10.
Many US health plans offer limited or no coverage abroad, and a hospital stay or medical evacuation from an island can be very expensive. Check your health plan and credit card benefits first. For medical expenses and medical evacuation, our partner Chapka offers Cap Assistance 24/7: coverage and limits are listed on the policy page.
To have mobile data as soon as you land without hunting for a local SIM card, a Yesim e-SIM, our partner, installs before you leave. Check on its page that your destination is covered and at what rate.
FAQ
Where is the sea warmest in August?
Antalya (84°F), Cyprus and Rhodes (82°F), then Crete, Malta, Mallorca and Corfu (79°F). Farther away, Bali (81°F).
Where is it sunny but not too hot in August?
The Canary Islands (82°F afternoons, 71°F nights), Madeira (78°F) or Corsica (83°F, 63°F nights). Crete stays at 83°F thanks to the wind.
Is August a good time to visit Europe?
For beaches, yes: the sea is at its warmest. But it is Europe’s busiest and priciest month, and Seville, Athens and Marrakech are often too hot for sightseeing. Book early and favor islands and the coast.
Is August a good time for the Caribbean?
It is possible, but August is very wet in Martinique (9.9 in over 21 days) and opens the most active stretch of hurricane season. Choose refundable bookings and good travel insurance.
Where to go for sun in other months
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November, December.
Sources
Pages accessed October 21, 2026. Unless noted, climate normals come from the World Meteorological Organization’s World Weather Information Service, which publishes data supplied by each national weather service.
- Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM): Antalya climate statistics (1930-2025). Cyprus Department of Meteorology, via WMO: Larnaca (2002-2011).
- Hellenic National Meteorological Service, via WMO: Rhodes, Heraklion, Corfu (period not stated) and Athens (1955-1997).
- Malta Meteorological Office, via WMO: Luqa (1961-1990). AEMET (Spain), via WMO: Palma, Las Palmas, Málaga and Seville (1981-2010).
- Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, via WMO: Dubrovnik and Split. Météo-France, via WMO: Ajaccio (1971-2000) and Tahiti-Faa’a (1961-1990).
- IPMA (Portugal), via WMO: Faro and Funchal (1961-1990). BMKG (Indonesia), via WMO: Denpasar (1961-1990). Tanzania Meteorological Authority, via WMO: Zanzibar (1971-2000). Mauritius Meteorological Services, via WMO: Port Louis (1971-2000), and Climate of Mauritius for the seasons.
- For the caveats, via WMO: Marrakech, Luxor, Dubai, Aqaba, Phuket, Malé, Le Lamentin, Miami Beach, Cancún and Cape Town.
- World Sea Temperatures: average August sea temperatures. Encyclopædia Britannica: the meltemi (etesian winds). NOAA, National Hurricane Center: hurricane season and peak. US Office of Personnel Management: federal holidays.
Maintained by the Advised Traveler team. Climate averages do not predict the weather during your trip: check the forecast before you go. Spotted an error? Let us know.