Island Notes
The meltemi: how the summer wind shapes island flying
Every summer a strong north wind sweeps the Aegean. It shapes ferry timetables, sailing plans and, to a lesser degree, island flights. What it is and how to plan around it.
9 October 2026 · 4 minute read
Anyone who has spent August in the Cyclades knows the meltemi. It is the reason the island windmills face north, why tables at the harbour tavernas sometimes need clips on the tablecloths, and why ferry timetables come with a note of caution. For private flights it is usually a matter of comfort and timing rather than cancellation, but it is worth understanding.
What the meltemi is
The meltemi is a dry northerly wind that blows across the Aegean in summer, most strongly from July into August, with milder spells in June and September. It tends to arrive under clear skies, which can make it surprising: a bright, cloudless day with a strong, gusty wind. It often builds from late morning, peaks in the afternoon and eases in the evening, and an episode can last a few days.
How strong it gets
On a typical meltemi day the wind is moderate to strong, and on stronger days it is strong enough to stop small boats and some ferries. The islands in its direct path, including Mykonos, feel it fully. Sheltered harbours and the south-facing coasts are calmer.
What it means for ferries and boats
Ferries, especially the fast catamarans, are the most affected. On strong days, sailings can be delayed, rough or cancelled, which is why travellers with tight connections often prefer to fly between the islands in high summer. Yacht charters plan their routes around it, sometimes waiting in a sheltered bay for a day.
What it means for flights
| Effect | What you might notice | How it is managed |
|---|---|---|
| Turbulence | A bumpy final approach and departure | Seat belts on, and morning times where possible |
| Crosswind | Occasional delay while gusts ease | The crew applies the aircraft's crosswind limits |
| Diversion | Rarely, landing at another island or Athens | Your advisor rearranges the onward plan |
| Ferry disruption | Ferries cancelled on strong days | Short island flights as an alternative |
The decision to fly, wait or divert always rests with the crew and the operator, who hold operational control of the aircraft. Larger aircraft generally ride gusts more comfortably than small ones, but every aircraft has limits, and the crew applies them.
Planning around it
- Fly in the morning. Winds are often lighter early in the day, so morning arrivals and departures tend to be smoother.
- Leave a buffer before connections. If you are joining a yacht, catching a long-haul flight or attending an event, avoid planning it within an hour or two of the island flight.
- Watch the forecast together. Your advisor checks the forecast in the days before the trip and will suggest moving a departure if a strong episode is coming.
- Keep the ferry as a backup, not the plan. On meltemi days the boats are the first to stop.
Reading the forecast
Marine and aviation forecasts give wind in knots, and many Greek weather services also use the Beaufort scale. A meltemi day often sits around force 5 to 7, which is a fresh to near-gale breeze, and occasionally reaches force 8 at its peak. Gusts matter as much as the average for a landing aircraft, so a forecast of 20 knots gusting 35 is more significant than a steady 25. Your crew reads the airport forecast and the latest observations before each flight; you only need to know that a strong episode is coming so the plan can flex.
Santorini and the other islands
The wind reaches every island in the central Aegean, but each airport feels it differently depending on its runway direction and the terrain around it. Santorini, further south, often sees slightly gentler conditions than Mykonos, while the smaller islands, served by turboprops, can be more affected because lighter aircraft feel gusts more. Hops between islands are planned for the calmer part of the day for the same reason.
Is it a reason to avoid July and August?
Not at all. The meltemi is part of what makes the Cyclades bearable in high summer, cooling the islands when the rest of Greece is hot. Most days it simply adds a little motion on the approach. With sensible timing and a flexible plan, it rarely changes more than the hour you land.
Packing for a windy island
Meltemi days are bright and dry, and the wind can make them feel cooler than the temperature suggests, especially in the evening by the water. A light layer, a hat that stays on and sunglasses earn their place in the bag. If you plan to sail, ask your yacht crew about their wind limits for the days around your arrival, and keep the first afternoon free in case the boats stay in harbour. For the flight itself, nothing changes: the crew handles the conditions, and a bumpy final approach lasts only a few minutes.
Shoulder seasons
June and September usually bring calmer, more settled winds, along with emptier beaches and a quieter apron at Mykonos. If your dates are flexible, the edges of the season offer the smoothest flying and the simplest island logistics.
How we help
When we plan a summer trip to the islands, we suggest arrival and departure times with the wind in mind, keep an eye on the forecast as the date approaches, and have alternatives ready if the crew decides to wait or divert. For island hops, see our guide to flying between the islands.