Most visitors leave Cyprus in September. The sea stays warm for weeks after they go. Larnaca Bay holds its summer heat, and an October swim here is warmer than an August swim in most of northern Europe. Locals keep swimming off the Oroklini seafront well into November, and a hardy few carry on all winter.
Sea temperature by month
These are the long term averages for Larnaca from seatemperature.info, with the range you can expect across each month.
| Month | Average sea | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| October | 25.6°C | 22.6 to 27.9°C |
| November | 22.9°C | 20.1 to 25.9°C |
| December | 20.1°C | 17.9 to 22.9°C |
Most swimmers find the water comfortable from about 24°C. Between 20 and 22°C the first minute stings, then your body settles and you want to stay in.
October: the best swimming month of the year
October gives you a sea of 25 or 26 degrees, daytime highs around 27°C, and about nine hours of sunshine a day. The beaches empty after the first week, you can pick any lounger you like, and the water is often flat calm in the morning.
Watch the clock. In early October the sun sets around six. On the last Sunday of the month, 25 October in 2026, the clocks go back an hour, and after that the sun is down around five. Swim in the afternoon early in the month and at lunchtime later on.
November: warm water, cooler air
The sea averages about 23°C in November, and on a cool morning the water feels warmer than the air. Daytime temperatures sit around 23°C and you still get about seven hours of sun a day. The first winter rain often arrives this month, so pick your day and go when the sun is out.
November also brings the flamingos back to the lakes around Larnaca. A swim in the morning and an hour at the bird hide at Oroklini Lake make a good November day. Our guide to flamingos in Larnaca explains where to go.
December and the winter swimmers
By December the sea is down to about 20°C, anywhere from 18 to 23 degrees depending on the week. Most visitors stop swimming around here, while the regulars keep going. Walk along the Oroklini seafront on a winter morning and you will see a handful of people going in every day, then drying off with a coffee on the promenade.
Why Oroklini works for an autumn swim
The water off Oroklini stays shallow for a long way out and the seabed is sandy, so it warms up fast on a sunny day and you can stand for most of your swim. The bay is sheltered and wind is rare, which keeps the mornings calm. Lifeguards work the Larnaca beaches through October. After that, swim where you can stand and bring a friend.
Where to eat after the swim
Mer Bleue sits on the Oroklini seafront, a few steps from the water, so you can walk up from the beach with salt still on your skin. In October we serve on the terrace in the sun. Later in the year the dining room has big windows onto the bay. A bowl of fish soup at 10 euro warms you up fast, and grilled sea bream at 19 euro or the fish meze at 33 euro a head make a proper lunch of it.
The kitchen runs daily from 9:00 to 22:00. See the menu, book a table for weekends, or read our Oroklini Beach guide for the rest of the day.
Questions people ask
How warm is the sea in Larnaca in October?
About 25.6°C on average, between 22.6 and 27.9°C across the month. For most swimmers that is comfortable from the first step.
Can you swim in Larnaca in November?
Yes. The sea averages about 23°C in November, and on cool mornings it feels warmer than the air.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in Cyprus in December?
In Larnaca the sea averages about 20°C in December. Winter swimmers go in every day, and most visitors find it bracing.
When do lifeguards stop on Larnaca beaches?
The lifeguard season on Larnaca beaches runs through October. After that, swim where you can stand and bring a friend.
What is the best month to swim in Larnaca without crowds?
October. The sea is still around 25 to 26°C, the beaches are quiet and you get about nine hours of sunshine a day.
Planning a winter visit instead? Read about the flamingos in Larnaca or see the terrace in the gallery.