Best time to cruise · Shoulder season

Greek Isles cruises in March

The first Aegean departures typically resume in late March or April, depending on the line. March 25 brings Independence Day parades in Athens and island towns. Hillsides turn green, wildflowers appear and highs reach the low 60s °F (16–17°C), but swimming is out and some island businesses haven’t yet reopened after winter.

Shoulder season
Avg high 62°F
12 hrs daylight

Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Greek Isles in March: Shoulder season

Across Greek Isles cruise ports, March brings average highs around 62°F (16°C) and lows near 53°F, with about 2.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.

Verdict: Shoulder season
Season: April to early November; best late May–June and September
Average high / low: 62°F / 53°F
Rainfall (month): 2.5 in
Daylight: About 12 hours
Typical cruise length: 3 to 7 nights from Piraeus; 7 to 12 nights on wider Eastern Med routes

What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.

How March compares with the rest of the year

No regular sailings
Shoulder season
Good time to go
Best time to go

Greek Isles in February Greek Isles in April

Greek Isles weather in March

Average monthly weather in Greek Isles cruise ports
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F (°C)	5814	5915	6216	6720	7423	8228	8731	8831	8328	7624	6820	6216
Low °F (°C)	5111	5211	5312	5814	6418	7222	7625	7725	7323	6719	6116	5513
Rain in (mm)	4.4112	2.564	2.564	1.026	0.923	0.821	0.39	0.411	1.436	1.948	3.486	3.897
Daylight (hrs)	10	11	12	13	14	15	15	14	12	11	10	10

Average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall for 2015–2024 from NASA POWER for the area around Greek Isles cruise ports, adjusted to sea level; daylight is calculated for mid-month. Real weather on any given day varies.

March weather port by port

Port	Avg high	Avg low	Rain	Daylight
Athens	62°F	49°F	3.0 in	12 h
Santorini	61°F	57°F	2.1 in	12 h
Mykonos	60°F	56°F	2.1 in	12 h
Rhodes	62°F	58°F	2.4 in	12 h
Heraklion, Crete	62°F	56°F	2.1 in	12 h
Chania (Souda Bay), Crete	62°F	55°F	1.7 in	12 h
Corfu	61°F	53°F	3.1 in	12 h
Kuşadası (for Ephesus)	63°F	44°F	3.0 in	12 h
Patmos	60°F	56°F	2.6 in	12 h
Nafplio	64°F	47°F	2.7 in	12 h
Katakolon (for Olympia)	60°F	56°F	2.6 in	12 h
Argostoli, Kefalonia	60°F	55°F	2.8 in	12 h

Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.

Other great cruise destinations in March

See every destination for March, with a port weather map →

Greek Isles in March: FAQs

Is March a good time to cruise Greek Isles?

It can be, as a shoulder-season month. The first Aegean departures typically resume in late March or April, depending on the line. March 25 brings Independence Day parades in Athens and island towns. Hillsides turn green, wildflowers appear and highs reach the low 60s °F (16–17°C), but swimming is out and some island businesses haven’t yet reopened after winter.

What is the weather like on a Greek Isles cruise in March?

Across Greek Isles cruise ports, March brings average highs around 62°F (16°C) and lows near 53°F, with about 2.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.

What should I pack for a Greek Isles cruise in March?

Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.

When is the best time to cruise Greek Isles?

April to early November; best late May–June and September. The best months are usually May, June, September.

Where else can I cruise in March?

March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.

Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.

Sources: NASA POWER climate data.