Swimming in Mediterrean in October

I can tell you few-to-no Italians will be on the beach and the beach establishments where you rent lounges and umbrellas will be closed. It will be peaceful. I have seen Germans and Central Europeans in the beach in October in the Cinque Terre and in Le Marche, mostly enjoying sun, mid-70 temps, and wading. No idea on snorkeling.

Thanks Laurel, that sounds wonderful, actually. We wouldn't be likely to lay on a chaise, but I absolutely will need to put my feet in the water even if I can't go in any farther! Do you think the establishments above the sea with views will be open? for light meals or glass of wine?

My son stepped on a sea urchin wading in Cinque Terra. Not dangerous (to my son...not sure how the sea urchin fared), but very painful. Watch where you step. :)

Cinque Terre is probably an exception, but we took a cruise called "Islands of the West Mediterranean" in October a few years ago. We found that 50% of the beach/boardwalk/resort businesses were closed for the season. On some islands it was hard to get a taxi, even by telephone.

I don't swim in the Mediterranean because my doctors say it isn't clean enough. The Adriatic, that's a different matter. I don't think there's rewarding snorkeling like in the Carribean, in the Med. Maybe off southern Spain or the Ballearic Islands in summer.

Are you aware that Sorrento has only one tiny beach, in between the two marinas, with a distinct aroma of diesel exhaust? Our luxury hotel had (like the other fat cat places) an attractive, large, private boardwalk swimming platform (i.e. in the Gulf of Naples), off the lowest elevator stop (i.e. the bottom of the cliff that the town is on) of the hotel elevator. Even for $450 per night, we had no beach.

We swam on the Cinque Terre, Cornigular, at the end of September and it was delicious😀

We were in Dinard, France at the end of September and were surprised to see quite a few locals swimming laps. Maybe the French are heartier stock than Italians. ;)
Tim, our main objective in Sorrento is Pompeii, but when I read about snorkel gear being provided, it got me thinking. I would agree, in general, beaches, snorkeling, and SCUBA, probably at its best in the Caribbean. I'm not sure I'd go anywhere in Europe if my primary objective were the beach. Even in the Caribbean, you wouldn't really find me on a chaise at the beach.

Ah Jules, maybe i should have stated i live just above St Malo and swim all year round, wetsuits are cheating! But also do remember the warmest month for the sea is September😀

Caro, did you wear shoes/sandals in the water at CT? I do have a long sleeve swim top to prevent sunburn. Is that cheating? ;)

I was amazed at my ability to float when swimming in Sorrento in 2017 at one of the hotel swimming piers below the cliffs. Perhaps it’s the salinity of the water there. You could just lay back, relax and your toes would stay above water without any effort.

I doubt the beachfront establishments will be open. I remember walking in Lerici (just south of the Cinque Terre) one October and the restaurants along the road were open with good views but not the little cafes/snack spots on the beach. In most of the CT towns you will find a watering hole with a view.

If you want to wear shoes and a top go fo it! We swam off a little harbour so shoes really werent needed x

Hey Caro, I guess I had just heard that when you swim in the Mediterranean, the sand is very grainy/pebbly? If shoes are not necessary that solves everything, I can just wing it when I get there

I supose it depends on what you are used to. I find shoes a annoying when swimming, so will put up with the odd pebble when walking in. But sea swiming is about pleasure and relaxation, so what ever works for you😁

I swim in the Med in October pretty much every year and believe that Minnesotans would do the same. Coming from Seattle, I'm not a real sea swimmer and haven't snorkeled. I float around in shallow or protected water which is usually pretty warm, and not hard to find. Beaches do tend to be pebbly, such as getting in and out of the water on Monterosso's beach. Pebbles form a big drift along the waterline.

Don't expect lifeguards on any beaches you may find....

Mid to later October is very, very late for swimming. At some time in October autumn breaks in and it begins to rain. You cannot tell if it will be Oct. 1st or 10th or 20th, but some time before the end of the month swimming will be likely be too dangerous.

why dangerous? Do you mean rough?

Thanks for the great responses. I pack very light, and I'm was just trying to decide if I should bring my own snorkel (decided no) and some kind of shoe I can wear into the water since I heard beaches were pebbly and there can be rocks in the water. I don't intend to do a lot of swimming, wouldn't even want to suck up lots of time with it, but I want to be able to if I so desire. Back in the day, I was a lifeguard. Still, I don't swim alone or go out far into the ocean, and my husband would be on shore. (He was a high school swimmer and the joke is that he barely likes to shower since then!) I keep options open when I travel. I'm bringing rain pants since unless it's a downpour, we'll still want to hike in CT and go to Pompeii