The swimming season runs from May to November, and the sea warms to +28 °C in August. The main risks are the summer heat, fires from June to September and dust storms.
Sea temperature
| Month | Water |
|---|---|
| January–March | 17–18 °C |
| May | 21 °C |
| June | 24 °C |
| July | 27 °C |
| August | 28 °C |
| October | 25 °C |
| December | 19 °C |
Limassol sometimes gets a cold current — in July the water can stay at 22–24 °C, while Polis and Latchi are warmer. In 2026, 56 beaches and 2 marinas were awarded the Blue Flag.
Heat
- July and August: +35…+40 °C on the coast, up to +44 °C inland.
- The rule is simple: from 11:00 to 16:00 stay in the shade, with water and a hat.
- In a heatwave, power cuts and water interruptions are possible as the grid comes under strain.
Fires
- The season runs June to September. In July 2025 the largest fire in decades, in the mountains above Limassol, destroyed around 125 km².
- At red alert level, open fires and barbecues are banned in forests.
- The forest service number is 1407, the general emergency number 112.
- Alerts are sent by SMS only to Cypriot SIM cards — keep at least one in the household.
The sea and nature
- Jellyfish (Rhopilema nomadica) are found mainly along the Larnaca–Vasilikos stretch, more often in late summer and autumn. Sea urchins live on the rocks.
- Mosquitoes: the tiger mosquito and Aedes aegypti have both established themselves. Use screens and repellents, and don't leave standing water.
- Dust storms arrive from Africa; check the sensors before cancelling your plans.
- Earthquakes: seismic activity is moderate, with magnitude 5+ roughly once every 1.7 years. Buildings follow anti-seismic standards.
- Civil defence sirens are tested every year on 15 July at 08:20 and 20 July at 05:30 — these are planned drills, so don't panic.