Gonio Weather
Gonio weather matters for two plans: a swim off the pebble beach and a walk around the Roman walls of the Apsaros fortress. This corner south of Batumi, near the mouth of the Chorokhi, has the highest yearly rain total of the 62 places we cover, about 2,555 mm. In return the extremes are soft: August afternoons peak near 27 °C (80 °F) and January nights stay around 6 °C (42 °F). Summer suits swimmers; spring and autumn suit history lovers.
Gonio weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.573° N, 41.574° E, 5 m, updated through the day: data from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). The monthly averages below are long-term climate, not a forecast.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain | Rain days | Cloud cover | Daylight | Sunrise–sunset | Sea °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11° | 6° | 274 mm | 15 | 52% | 9.5 h | 08:38–18:07 | 11° |
| February | 11° | 6° | 212 mm | 13 | 51% | 10.6 h | 08:10–18:46 | 10° |
| March | 13° | 7° | 157 mm | 12 | 48% | 11.9 h | 07:28–19:19 | 10° |
| April | 16° | 10° | 113 mm | 10 | 45% | 13.3 h | 06:35–19:53 | 12° |
| May | 20° | 14° | 100 mm | 10 | 39% | 14.5 h | 05:55–20:25 | 17° |
| June | 24° | 18° | 158 mm | 10 | 34% | 15.2 h | 05:39–20:49 | 23° |
| July | 26° | 21° | 161 mm | 11 | 39% | 14.9 h | 05:52–20:47 | 26° |
| August | 27° | 22° | 205 mm | 11 | 38% | 13.9 h | 06:22–20:16 | 27° |
| September | 25° | 18° | 262 mm | 12 | 34% | 12.5 h | 06:53–19:25 | 25° |
| October | 22° | 15° | 300 mm | 12 | 39% | 11.2 h | 07:24–18:34 | 21° |
| November | 17° | 10° | 291 mm | 12 | 44% | 9.9 h | 08:02–17:55 | 17° |
| December | 13° | 7° | 322 mm | 15 | 48% | 9.2 h | 08:33–17:45 | 14° |
| Year | 18° | 13° | 2,555 mm | 143 | 43% | 18° |
Estimated for this exact spot: 1991–2020 averages of the nearest weather stations, carried across the mountains and valleys with a 1 km climate model (CHELSA) and checked against more than 100 Georgian stations (typical error about 1 °C and 15% of the rain). Cloud cover: CHELSA 1981–2010. Sea: NOAA satellite sea-surface temperature. Daylight and sunrise are for the 15th of each month (Georgia keeps UTC+4 all year). A rain day has at least 1 mm.
Gonio weather through the year
SpringMar–May
Spring is the calmest window for exploring the fortress. Highs rise from about 13 °C in March to 20 °C in May, monthly rain eases from about 157 mm to 100 mm, and the grassy interior is green and soft underfoot. The sea is too cold for most people at 10-17 °C, but the coast road to Kvariati Beach makes a pleasant walk on a dry afternoon.
Highs 13° to 20° · lows 7° to 14° · 370 mm rain · sea 10° to 17°
SummerJun–Aug
Summer days are warm rather than hot, around 24-27 °C, but the air is humid and August nights average about 21.5 °C, so midday feels heavier than the figures suggest. The sea averages about 26 °C in July and nearly 27 °C in August. Rain falls on about 10-11 days a month. Tour the walls early, as there is little shade inside, and keep the beach for the afternoon.
Highs 24° to 27° · lows 18° to 22° · 524 mm rain · sea 23° to 27°
AutumnSep–Nov
September is the best all-round month: a sea of about 25 °C, highs near 25 °C and thinner crowds at both beach and fortress. October and November turn wet, at about 300 mm and 291 mm, though afternoons stay mild at 22 °C and 17 °C. The water still holds 21 °C through October, and November nights average about 10 °C.
Highs 17° to 25° · lows 10° to 18° · 853 mm rain · sea 17° to 25°
WinterDec–Feb
Gonio has some of the mildest winter nights in Georgia, about 6-7 °C from December to February, so frost is unusual. Days reach 11-13 °C. The price is rain: December is the wettest month at about 322 mm, and January brings 15 wet days. The fortress and its museum are quiet in winter; choose a dry morning and wear shoes that grip on wet stone.
Highs 11° to 13° · lows 6° to 7° · 808 mm rain · sea 10° to 14°
Best time to visit Gonio
The best time to visit Gonio for a beach-and-history day is September, when the sea is still about 25 °C and summer crowds have thinned. Swimmers get the warmest water in July and August, about 26-27 °C. For the fortress alone, May and early October are more comfortable, with highs of 20-22 °C and less sticky air. If you are heading on to Machakhela National Park, wait for a dry spell, as forest tracks turn to mud after heavy rain.
The weather in Gonio is at its most testing on July and August afternoons. The air is humid, highs sit at 26-27 °C and nights stay warm, so the stone walls and open lawns of the fortress give no relief and almost no shade. Arrive when the gates open, carry water and a hat, and leave the sea for later in the day, when a swim feels like a reward.
What to pack for Gonio
- A hat and water for the shadeless fortress grounds
- Water shoes for the pebbles at Gonio and Kvariati
- Loose, light clothing for sticky 27 °C days
- Shoes with grip for wet stone paths in winter
- A packable rain jacket from September to January
Gonio weather: FAQ
Is it too hot to visit Gonio Fortress in August?
Not extreme, but sticky. August highs average about 27 °C (80 °F), the air is humid and the grounds have very little shade. Go at opening time or late in the afternoon, carry water and wear a hat. Then cool off at the beach a few minutes away, where the sea is close to 27 °C (80 °F).
Which months are best for swimming at Gonio?
From July to September the sea averages 25-27 °C (77-80 °F), which most people find comfortable. June, at about 23 °C (73 °F), suits keen swimmers, and October, at roughly 21 °C, is still fine when the sun is out. From December to April the water stays between about 10 and 14 °C (50-57 °F).
How rainy is Gonio?
Very. About 2,555 mm falls on some 143 wet days a year, and no other place in our weather section gets more, though Chakvi, Kobuleti and Batumi come close. Looking at Gonio weather by month, October to January is the wettest stretch, each month with 274-322 mm. May is the driest at about 100 mm.
Is Gonio good for a winter visit?
Yes, if you want history rather than a beach. Winter nights are among the mildest in Georgia, about 6 °C (42 °F) in January, and days reach about 11 °C (51 °F), so the fortress is pleasant on a dry morning. Expect rain on 13-15 days a month and pack a waterproof.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Gonio and at a similar height.
Tours that visit Gonio Fortress (Apsaros)
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Gonio every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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