Photo: Esginmurat · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized
Sea temperature in Turkey: monthly table and choosing a season
Sea temperature changes differently from air temperature: warm spring days can arrive before the water warms up, while the sea can retain warmth after the air cools in autumn. The table below helps you compare months. For conditions on your travel dates, you will need recent local observations.
Average sea temperature by month: historical data
The data come from MGM’s 2004 climate publication for Antalya: Appendix 21, printed page 216. The averages cover 33 years of observations for Antalya, 32 for Alanya and 44 for Fethiye. The appendix does not give the start and end dates of these periods. The table therefore cannot support a fair ranking of resorts: the underlying observations differ. These are historical statistics, not current climate normals or a forecast.
| Month | Antalya | Alanya | Fethiye |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.7 | 16.7 | 16.5 |
| February | 15.8 | 16.0 | 15.9 |
| March | 16.0 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| April | 17.4 | 17.9 | 18.9 |
| May | 20.1 | 20.6 | 22.2 |
| June | 23.2 | 24.1 | 25.1 |
| July | 25.8 | 26.9 | 27.2 |
| August | 26.9 | 27.9 | 28.2 |
| September | 26.0 | 26.9 | 26.7 |
| October | 23.7 | 24.3 | 24.0 |
| November | 20.7 | 21.1 | 20.9 |
| December | 18.2 | 18.4 | 18.0 |
The table covers only three resorts. It contains no data for Bodrum, Çeşme or other destinations; Antalya figures cannot be substituted for them.
Photo: Alexander Annenkov from Moscow, Russia · CC BY 2.0 · Resized
.jpg){kind=link}
Why swimming conditions differ between May and October
In all three series shown, the highest monthly average sea temperature occurs in August, and October water is warmer than May water. Even with similar air temperatures, swimming conditions can differ considerably between spring and autumn.
The differences in the table relate to historical data and do not predict the temperature for a particular week. Small differences between stations should not be the main reason for choosing a hotel either: the beach’s location and the weather on the day matter.
Deciding whether the water will feel comfortable
A quick dip, a long snorkelling session and playing with a child at the water’s edge are different activities. There is no single comfortable temperature for everyone. Consider how you usually respond to cool water and how long you want to spend in the sea.
If you plan to swim daily, consider a hotel with a heated pool. Ask which pool is heated on your dates, whether children can use it and whether heating depends on the weather. Our heated pool guide covers these details.
Checking recent readings and conditions at the beach
Before travelling, open the MGM sea-surface temperature service. Check the measurement location and date: without them, you cannot judge how relevant a reading is to your beach. If there are no nearby observations, a distant station offers only a rough guide.
At the beach, follow flags, lifeguards’ instructions and swimming restrictions. Water temperature tells you nothing about waves, currents or water quality, so it does not by itself establish that swimming is safe.
Other factors when choosing a month
If you are choosing between spring and autumn, read our May and October comparison. Air temperatures and rainfall appear in our month-by-month weather guide. Assess these separately from sea temperature.
When choosing a hotel, check the beach, pool swimming options and activities for bad weather. That leaves you alternatives if the sea is cooler than expected.
Frequently asked questions
Does the table show today’s sea temperature?
No. It contains averages from an official 2004 publication based on many years of observations. For the current temperature, you need recent measurements with a location and date.
Which resort has the warmest sea?
This table cannot give a current answer: it covers only three resorts, with different observation periods. You can compare months within each series, but not use it to rank resorts today.
Is the sea warmer in October than in May?
In the historical data shown, yes, at all three resorts. This is a long-term relationship that does not guarantee the water temperature for your holiday dates.
Sources and editorial notes
Destination facts and climate figures are linked to the sources below. Booking checklists and comparisons are editorial guidance, not hotel inspections. Confirm changing services directly before booking.
Published by Web Studio Neaptide. About Sunny Turkey.