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A trip to Malta is not complete without a visit to the island of Gozo. The smaller island offers a lot of attractions for a broad range of travellers, with great weather to enjoy different activities all year round. Sunny days, mild climate and just the occasional rainy day are great for exploring Gozo’s abundant nature and culture.
Even though the climate is stable and mostly sunny, there are some things that you should know about Gozo weather conditions throughout the year.
In this article, I will give you an in-depth overview of the weather you can expect during different times in the year. This will help you decide when to visit and what to expect if you’ve already planned to head to Gozo.
Gozo is blessed with good weather throughout the entire year. Still, every season has its own character and comes with different temperatures and weather conditions. No matter what time you go, the weather will most likely allow you to do exactly what you want. The temperatures vary from season to season, and you can find highs of 30-40 °C in the summer and day temperatures of 15-20 °C in the winter.
Additionally, the wind speed is highest during the winter months as well. This makes the temperatures feel colder at times. The average temperature in Gozo varies from 18 °C up to 29 °C, depending on the month. The islands count over 300 days of sunshine, and in the summer the average day counts up to almost 14 sunny hours.
Here’s a little overview:
| Month | Average Temperature | Average Sea Temperature | ||
| January | 15.3 oC | 60.5 °F | 16.1 oC | 62.3 °F |
| February | 14.9 oC | 59.8 °F | 15.4 oC | 60.7 °F |
| March | 16 oC | 62.1 °F | 15.3 oC | 60.5 °F |
| April | 18.3 oC | 66.6 °F | 16.5 oC | 62.7 °F |
| May | 21.3 oC | 72.5 °F | 18.5 oC | 67.1 °F |
| June | 25.7 oC | 81.3 °F | 22.4 oC | 74.8 °F |
| July | 28.9 oC | 87.8 °F | 25.6 oC | 81.2 °F |
| August | 29.7 oC | 89.5 °F | 26.9 oC | 83.8 °F |
| September | 27.4 oC | 84.7 °F | 26.2 oC | 82.3 °F |
| October | 24.6 oC | 79.3 °F | 24.3 oC | 78.6 °F |
| November | 21 oC | 72.0 °F | 21.6 oC | 73.3 °F |
| December | 17 oC | 64.0 °F | 18.4 oC | 66.9 °F |
The sea temperature varies a bit throughout the year as well. It has an average temperature of 18 oC yearly. However, in summer, it can go up to a maximum of 27 oC. In winter, the temperature of the sea usually sinks to around 15 oC. This marks the months of May till October as the best season for swimming and indulging in beach life.
The winter months in Gozo can also be rainy and windy. Usually, those are shorter periods of high winds and heavy rains paired with occasional storms.
January and February might be the coldest months in Gozo, but the days are usually sunny.
You might have strong winds and some rain at times, but it never lasts long. Some occasional storms happen in the winter months as well. This might affect the ferry transport between Gozo and Malta at times. Ferry rides can take longer than usual and might be bumpier during stormy days. In rare occassions, they might be suspended. This usually only happens during the winter months and some days with rough sea and strong winds. By February/March all is back to normal.
The weather in the winter might change quickly and sometimes announced storms just blow over or hit a day later. The temperatures can be as low as 7 oC or go up to 20 oC.
February is the last month of winter, and the weather in Gozo can still be cold at night. You might also experience some strong winds and even stormy weather during this month. However, you can already feel the first signs of spring – sunny days are common during this month too. The temperatures are very similar to January, but you can feel spring approaching by the end of February.
During March, Gozo is transitioning towards spring and the flowers start blooming. The temperatures start to rise, the winds get weaker, and there is less rainfall on the island. March and April are perfect months for hiking and active exploring. The sea is still freezing to swim in, but the March weather in Gozo is charming. As it still cools down at night, you might need a jumper for March evenings.
April in Gozo usually means spring at its best. You will find sunny days with mild temperatures and a lot of vegetation. The chance of showers reduces a lot in April, making it an excellent month for sightseeing and other outdoor activities, like mountain biking or rock climbing. April is the perfect start of spring with mild but pleasant temperatures. In fact, the Easter period is a popular time of year for locals and tourists to enjoy the early spring in Gozo.
May starts off as a month of spring but lets us know that summer is just around the corner. Temperatures are closer to 20 oC. In the second half of the month, temperatures rise, and the climate in Gozo drifts into summer. If you don’t mind slightly chilly waters, you’ll probably be able to swim in the sea by the end of May.
June is the first month to feel really high temperatures in Gozo. The weather will be hot and sunny, but it might still cool down during the night. It is almost impossible to catch rain during the summer months in Gozo.
July keeps up with these hot temperatures and sunny days. The sea temperature also rises, and you will be able to enjoy long beach days. It’s rare for any showers to occur at this time of year, with mostly hot and dry conditions. Locals are advised to apply sunscreen lotion and stay out of the sun between 11 am and 3 pm until at least the end of September.
August is one of the hottest months of the year, and though rare showers may occur, they pass quickly and rarely ruin any summer fun. It is also the peak of summer, and the weather in Gozo stays sunny during the whole month. Humidity starts to creep in though, especially with a southerly wind and during the evenings.
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September in Gozo can still be counted as a summer month. It is hot, with temperatures around 28 oC and higher. It is characterised as very humid, as high humidity levels are common. But towards the end of the month, nights will start cooling again and the temperatures are slightly lower. Though rare, heavy rain can sometimes start to occur and flood lower-lying areas.
October is a very in-between month on the island. While the average temperature is about 25 oC, the water starts cooling down slowly. October is still a good month for beach days, and the weather in Gozo will stay mostly sunny. Just like in September, heavy rain can occur. Despite the intensity, rainfall will pass quickly to make way for the sun again.
While November weather is usually the roughest in most countries, Gozo is still blessed with lots of sunshine and decent temperatures. Rain is fairly common during this month, so definitely pack a brolly and keep an eye on the sky.
It gets chilly during the December nights in Gozo. However, the days still come with a lot of sunshine and can still be reasonably warm, with an average temperature of 17 oC. Perfect for some mulled wine and cosy Christmas vibes.
Gozo is lovely the whole year round, but every season has its perks for different kinds of travellers. There is something to do for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, beach babes, and outdoor lovers alike. You just have to find a suitable season for your dream holiday.
The spring months promise perfect hiking weather in Gozo. Although you might enjoy hiking from November until February as well, the spring months offer more stability when it comes to rain and winds. During March and April, you will be able to enjoy a lot of flowers and green grass right by the hiking and biking paths all around Gozo. The sun might be intense during these months already, so remember to protect yourself and bring enough water on a hiking tour.
Gozo is blessed with crystal clear blue waters. On the island, you can lay on sandy beaches or find hidden bays and perfect spots for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. The best time to indulge in this activity is in summer. The temperatures of the water are as high as 26 oC, and with the heat outside you will want nothing more than jumping into the sea.
Beaches like Rambla Bay tend to get crowded in the peak season (from June to September) but there is always a spot. In most years, you will be able to swim from late May until October. Throughout these months, you’ll be able to jump in the bluest water in Hondoq Bay or explore places like Wied il-Għasri and Xlendi with your snorkelling gear.
Just make sure to bring enough sunscreen as the weather in Gozo can be quite sunny and hot. You should never underestimate the intense sun on the island, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Gozo has plenty in store when it comes to tours, excursions and sightseeing. If you want to enjoy the sights without sweating too much or getting burned by the sun, you will find the best sightseeing weather in Gozo from January until May, or from October until December.
Although famous sights like the Citadel in Victoria, the Windmill, or the Temples in Xaghra open during the summer, I recommend getting there early and spending the hotter hours close to the beach. This way, you will also beat the crowds.
Some sights in Gozo, like Fungus Rock, Mixta Cave, and the Inland Sea, can be combined with a quick dip as well. They are the perfect spots for some summer sightseeing with hot temperatures. I recommend visiting the cultural sights in the early morning and tugging away at a beautiful beach during the afternoon, as the sun rises around 6 am in summer.
During winter and spring, the weather is perfect for visiting famous sights and combining them with a hike. The occasional rain in winter makes the landscape look lush and green, and you’ll find blossoming flowers all around in spring.
Packing and preparing for the weather in Gozo can be tricky in certain months. While you only need shorts and a bathing suit in the summer, you have to be prepared for different temperatures and wind in months like February and November. With a bit of planning and preparation, you will be able to enjoy the island at its best during any season.
Pack these items each season, and the weather in Gozo will be no challenge for you:
The weather in Gozo varies from season to season, but it never gets unbearable. This makes the island the perfect spot for any type of traveller and a big range of activities.
Do you have a question about the weather in Gozo that this article doesn’t answer? Leave a comment below and I’ll answer all of your queries.
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