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Best destinations for warm sea swimming in May?

travel tipsbeach holidaysmay travelsea temperature
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Marin_Pro
Joined:
12.06.2021
Posts: 104
Topic Starter
02.03.2025 18:45
I am currently planning a vacation for the middle of May and I am really hoping to find somewhere where the sea is actually warm enough to swim comfortably. Most of the Mediterranean seems a bit hit-or-miss that early in the year, and I would prefer to avoid a 12-hour flight if possible. I have been looking at places like Egypt or maybe the southern parts of Turkey, but I am worried about the water still being chilly from the winter. Does anyone have personal experience with specific spots where the water temperature is consistently above 23 or 24 degrees in May? I am open to any suggestions that are relatively easy to reach from Europe.
16 replies in this topic
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Niko_N
Joined:
09.01.2025
Posts: 348
21.03.2025 10:22
Egypt is definitely your best bet for those temperatures. I was in Sharm El Sheikh last May and the water was a lovely 25 degrees. It's only about a 5-hour flight from most of Europe.
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Zhivko_D
Joined:
02.04.2021
Posts: 1402
31.03.2025 16:35
In reply to a previous post
I agree with the Egypt suggestion. Marsa Alam is even better if you want to spend all day in the water snorkeling; it's very consistent.
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Maya_L
Joined:
06.08.2020
Posts: 392
13.06.2025 18:07
I tried Antalya in mid-May once and honestly, it was still a bit bracing. The air was hot, but the sea was probably only 20 or 21 degrees. Not quite the 'bath water' feel you seem to want.
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Brayan_Z
Joined:
17.01.2023
Posts: 627
24.06.2025 03:36
In reply to a previous post
Exactly my experience in Fethiye too. Beautiful weather for hiking and sunbathing, but the sea needs another month to really warm up.
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redoven
Joined:
23.02.2023
Posts: 1011
02.08.2025 16:47
Have you looked at Cyprus? Specifically the eastern side like Ayia Napa. It's usually the warmest part of the Med, though 24 degrees might still be a stretch for May.
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Igor_Tech
Joined:
11.05.2023
Posts: 392
06.08.2025 11:01
Cape Verde is another option. It's about 6 hours from the UK/Germany. The water is usually around 23-24 degrees year-round because it's further south.
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Iggy_R
Joined:
13.06.2020
Posts: 2225
14.08.2025 13:52
In reply to a previous post
I found the Atlantic in Cape Verde a bit rough for 'comfortable' swimming though, even if the temp is okay.
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Maks_D
Joined:
06.10.2021
Posts: 1107
26.08.2025 05:21
Eilat in Israel is a great shout. It's on the Red Sea, so you get those same desert temperatures as Egypt but with a different vibe.
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Iggy_R
Joined:
22.02.2021
Posts: 547
12.09.2025 06:01
If you don't mind a 6-7 hour flight, Dubai or Abu Dhabi are guaranteed to be hot. The water there in May is actually getting close to being *too* warm!
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agata_k
Joined:
01.03.2021
Posts: 644
16.09.2025 20:14
In reply to a previous post
That's a good point about the UAE, but the humidity can be a bit much for some people that late in the spring.
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vuprositel
Joined:
25.07.2021
Posts: 719
21.10.2025 16:43
Avoid the Greek islands if you are picky about water temp. I love Greece, but the Aegean is freezing in May.
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damian_varna
Joined:
23.06.2023
Posts: 993
29.10.2025 01:41
In reply to a previous post
I totally agree. I made that mistake in Crete once. Gorgeous sun, but I couldn't stay in the water for more than five minutes.
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Alan_K
Joined:
19.04.2024
Posts: 1467
03.12.2025 07:29
What about Oman? Salalah is stunning and very easy to reach via a connection in Muscat.
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NeZnamNoPisha
Joined:
04.11.2022
Posts: 249
23.12.2025 13:04
In reply to a previous post
To the OP: if you really want 24C+, just stick with the Red Sea. Nowhere in the Mediterranean will reliably hit that until late June or July.
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Timo_G
Joined:
10.01.2024
Posts: 764
17.02.2026 23:49
Is Tunisia any warmer? I've heard Djerba might be okay in May.
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kamilo
Joined:
12.11.2025
Posts: 271
01.04.2026 06:48
In reply to a previous post
Djerba is nice, but still likely to be around 21 degrees. If 23 is your hard limit, Egypt is your only realistic short-haul choice.

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