Anytime from April to October offers excellent paddling conditions: clear skies, calm seas, warm water and air temperatures. April and May is when the island is at its most beautiful, green after the winter rains and full of wildflowers, but bring a thin wetsuit for swimming. June, September and October have the perfect combination of moderate air temperatures and warmer water temperatures - perfect for swimming.

July is the hottest month - ideal if you want to do lots of swimming and snorkeling and perfect for camping out, definitely leave your sleeping bag and fleece at home.

August is peak season, when the island is crowded, with mainly Greek holiday makers. From late July through into August, the islands are subject to the meltemi, a strong wind from the north. The meltemi has a cooling effect on mid-summer temperatures, however it can make the north coast a no paddle zone for many days at a time. The steep south coast offers sheltered waters and many beaches only accessible to kayakers. If you really want to experience the ambience of a Greek summer then August is definitely the month to visit.

March and November are only recommended if you prefer cooler temperatures. These months are when the winter rains finish and start so the weather can be a bit hit-or-miss, compared to the other "seven months of summer".

Winter temperatures are considerably cooler, it is frequently windy and rains as often as it doesn't.