Camps Bay Water Temperature & Swim Forecast
Twelve-Apostles-backdrop Cape Town beach.
Pleasant water with a light chop and a light breeze — great swimming conditions.
Model estimate · modelled, not a buoy measurement. How accurate is this?
Location
Camps Bay on the map, with nearby beaches and live sea temperatures.
7-day forecast
Water, air, waves, wind and UV outlook for the week ahead.
Rash vest or swimsuit
At 23.6°C most swimmers and surfers are comfortable in a swimsuit or thin rash top.
Recommendation tuned for Camps Bay's current water temperature. Individual tolerance, wind chill, and session length all matter — when in doubt, size up.
Camps Bay swimming conditions summary
- Water temperature
- 23.6°C
- Water feels
- Pleasant
- Swimmable today
- Yes — comfortable for most swimmers
- Swim conditions score
- 88/100 · Excellent
- Wetsuit needed
- Rash vest or swimsuit
- Air temperature
- —
- Waves
- —
- Wind
- —
- UV index
- —
- Average sea temperature (November)
- 23.0 °C
- Warmest months to swim
- January, February, March
At 23.6°C most swimmers and surfers are comfortable in a swimsuit or thin rash top. Model estimate. Water, wave, wind and UV values are Open-Meteo marine/weather model estimates, refreshed hourly — not buoy measurements.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swim at Camps Bay right now?
The sea at Camps Bay is currently 23.6°C — great swimming conditions. Most swimmers will find the water comfortable when it's above 22°C; below 18°C feels fresh and a wetsuit is recommended.
What will the sea temperature be at Camps Bay next week?
Based on long-term November averages and the latest marine model, expect the sea around Camps Bay to sit close to 23.0°C over the next 7 days. Check the live 7-day chart above for the exact daily outlook.
When is the best month to swim at Camps Bay?
January – February – March are typically the warmest months to swim at Camps Bay, with sea temperatures at their seasonal peak.
Do I need a wetsuit at Camps Bay?
With water currently at 23.6°C: above 22°C no wetsuit needed; 18–22°C a shorty is comfortable for long swims; 14–18°C a 3/2mm full suit; below 14°C a 4/3mm or thicker.
Can I swim at Camps Bay today?
The sea is currently 23.6°C — excellent swimming conditions. Most swimmers will find it pleasant.
- • Located in Western Cape, South Africa (Atlantic Ocean).
- • Family friendly with calm, accessible water.
- • Live data refreshed hourly from Open-Meteo Marine.
Monthly sea temperature averages
Tap any month to see what to expect — based on regional climatology.
Best time to swim in Camps Bay
The sea in Camps Bay peaks in January, when the water averages around 28°C.
The main swimming season runs from October – May, when surface temperatures stay comfortable for extended sessions.
On average, 8 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Shoulder months like September and June are noticeably cooler but often quieter, with fewer crowds and steadier weather.
The coldest month is typically July at around 18°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.
Camps Bay sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so the warmest sea coincides with the December–February summer and the coolest with July–August.
Camps Bay sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Camps Bay shows an annual mean sea temperature of 23°C, ranging from 18°C in winter to 28°C at the summer peak.
The seasonal swing is roughly 10°C between the coldest and warmest month — a useful yardstick when comparing years or checking whether the current sea is running above or below average.
Recent decades have trended slightly warmer at Camps Bay, in line with regional sea-surface temperature records for the wider basin.
Monthly averages below are drawn from multi-decadal climatology and are updated as new observations arrive.
Camps Bay sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Camps Bay?
January is the warmest month in Camps Bay, when the sea averages about 28°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Camps Bay?
The coldest month in Camps Bay is typically July, when the water averages around 18°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Camps Bay without a wetsuit?
The main swimming season in Camps Bay runs from October – May — about 8 months a year when the sea sits above 20°C, the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do I need a wetsuit in Camps Bay?
Outside peak summer the water in Camps Bay drops toward 19°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable. In peak months most swimmers go without.
What is the average sea temperature in Camps Bay?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Camps Bay is about 23°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Camps Bay?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Camps Bay, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.
Year-round sea temperature
Best swim months: Jan – Feb – Mar – Apr – May – Oct – Nov – Dec
| Month | Sea | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Jan ⭐ | 28°C | Hot |
| Feb | 28°C | Hot |
| Mar | 27°C | Hot |
| Apr | 24°C | Warm |
| May | 21°C | Pleasant |
| Jun | 19°C | Pleasant |
| Jul | 18°C | Pleasant |
| Aug | 18°C | Pleasant |
| Sep | 19°C | Pleasant |
| Oct | 21°C | Pleasant |
| Nov | 23°C | Warm |
| Dec | 26°C | Hot |
Nearby beaches
The closest coastline, with live water temperatures.