Fethiye sits on Turkey’s southwestern Turquoise Coast with a classic Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers stretching from June through September and mild, rainy winters from December to February. The town averages over 300 sunny days per year and sees nearly all of its annual 800-900mm of rainfall between November and March. The Taurus Mountains behind Fethiye create a sheltered microclimate that keeps humidity moderate even in peak summer, and the sea breeze off the Gulf of Fethiye knocks a few degrees off July and August afternoons. Sea temperatures peak at 28 deg C (82 deg F) in August and drop to 17 deg C (63 deg F) in February, making the swimming season run from late May through late October. For a complete overview of the region, see our Fethiye travel guide. For more on this, see our best time to visit Fethiye guide.
Fethiye Weather by Month: Temperature and Rainfall
Below is the month-by-month breakdown with average daily highs, lows, rainfall totals, sea temperatures, and sunshine hours. All data is based on multi-year averages from the Turkish State Meteorological Service for the Fethiye coastal station. For more on this, see our things to do in Fethiye guide. For more on this, see our Fethiye events and festivals guide.
| Month | Avg High (deg C/deg F) | Avg Low (deg C/deg F) | Rainfall (mm) | Sea Temp (deg C) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16 / 61 | 7 / 45 | 187 | 17 | 5 |
| February | 16 / 61 | 7 / 45 | 150 | 17 | 6 |
| March | 19 / 66 | 9 / 48 | 95 | 17 | 7 |
| April | 22 / 72 | 12 / 54 | 50 | 18 | 8 |
| May | 27 / 81 | 16 / 61 | 25 | 21 | 10 |
| June | 31 / 88 | 20 / 68 | 10 | 24 | 12 |
| July | 34 / 93 | 23 / 73 | 3 | 27 | 13 |
| August | 34 / 93 | 23 / 73 | 4 | 28 | 12 |
| September | 31 / 88 | 19 / 66 | 15 | 27 | 10 |
| October | 26 / 79 | 15 / 59 | 55 | 24 | 8 |
| November | 21 / 70 | 11 / 52 | 115 | 21 | 6 |
| December | 17 / 63 | 8 / 46 | 195 | 18 | 5 |
Fethiye Weather by Month: Winter (December to February)
Winter in Fethiye is mild by northern European standards, with daytime highs of 16-17 deg C (61-63 deg F) and overnight lows dropping to 7-8 deg C (45-46 deg F). December and January are the wettest months, each averaging 15-16 rainy days and delivering nearly 200mm of precipitation. Storms can roll in off the Mediterranean with heavy downpours lasting 24-48 hours, and the mountains behind town occasionally get snow above 1,500m. Most restaurants along the Kordon (waterfront promenade) remain open, but many beach clubs and boat tour operators close from mid-November through late March. You will need a jacket in the evenings and waterproof shoes for puddle-dodging after downpours. For more on this, see our where to stay in Fethiye guide. For more on this, see our Fethiye travel tips guide.
Fethiye Weather by Month: Spring (March to May)
March is transitional: highs reach 19 deg C (66 deg F) but rain still falls on about 9 days. By April, Fethiye transforms. Highs hit 22 deg C (72 deg F), rain drops to 50mm over roughly 6 wet days, and wildflowers carpet the hillsides around Kayakoy and the Lycian Way trail. May is essentially summer without the crowds: 27 deg C (81 deg F) highs, only 3-4 rainy days, and sea temperatures warming to 21 deg C (70 deg F) which is swimmable for most people. The paragliding season from Babadag kicks off in April and runs strong through May with reliable thermals and clear visibility. April and May are the best months for hiking the Lycian Way before the heat of summer sets in.
Fethiye Weather by Month: Summer (June to September)
Fethiye summers are hot and bone-dry. June starts at 31 deg C (88 deg F) and by July and August the mercury regularly hits 34-35 deg C (93-95 deg F), sometimes touching 40 deg C (104 deg F) during heat waves. Rainfall in July averages just 3mm, and August sees 4mm, usually from a single brief thunderstorm if any rain falls at all. The saving grace is low humidity compared to Antalya (30-40% vs 60-70%) thanks to the sea breeze channeling through the gulf. Sea temperatures peak at 28 deg C (82 deg F) in August, warm enough that you can stay in the water for hours. Sunscreen, hat, and drinking water are essential. Air-conditioning is non-negotiable for accommodation. The coastal road to Oludeniz gets backed up between 10:00 and 16:00 in peak season.
Fethiye Weather by Month: Autumn (October to November)
October is one of Fethiye’s best months. Highs settle at 26 deg C (79 deg F), the sea still holds 24 deg C (75 deg F) from the summer heat, and rain only appears on about 5 days. The summer crowds thin out after the first week of October but all boat tours, restaurants, and beach clubs remain open. The Oludeniz Air Games Festival takes place in mid-October, drawing paragliders from 60-plus countries. November brings a noticeable shift: highs drop to 21 deg C (70 deg F), rain increases to 115mm over roughly 8-9 wet days, and many seasonal businesses begin closing. By late November, the town quiets down for winter.
Fethiye Weather by Month: Sea Temperatures and Swimming
The sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming (above 20 deg C / 68 deg F) from late May through late October, a solid five-month window. Peak sea temperatures of 27-28 deg C (81-82 deg F) arrive in August and hold through mid-September. The best beach months for combining warm water with manageable air temperatures are June, September, and early October. In July and August the midday sun is intense: swim before 11:00 or after 16:00 to avoid burning. Winter sea temperatures hover at 17-18 deg C (63-64 deg F), cold enough that only wetsuit-equipped divers and the occasional hardy swimmer venture in.
