Ireland
County Dublin · Atlantic Ocean

Forty Foot Water Temperature & Swim Forecast

Blue Flag swimming strand on the Wild Atlantic coast near Sandycove.

Cool water with a light chop and a light breeze — fresh conditions — a wetsuit is recommended.

Sea temperature now
14.4°Ccool
Fair
Source: Open-Meteo Marine

Model estimate · modelled, not a buoy measurement. How accurate is this?

Air temperature
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Wave height
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Wind
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UV index
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Location

Forty Foot on the map, with nearby beaches and live sea temperatures.

7-day forecast

Water, air, waves, wind and UV outlook for the week ahead.

Wetsuit recommendation

4/3mm fullsuit

At 14.4°C you need a 4/3mm fullsuit, and many surfers add neoprene boots.

  • + Optional 3mm boots
Surf & watersports
Cool water — the classic UK/Atlantic spring or Pacific Northwest summer range. A 4/3mm sealed-seam suit keeps you in the water for 90+ minutes. Boots prevent foot pain on rocky entries and extend session length.
Open-water swimming
Acclimatised swimmers manage 30 minutes; a thicker swim wetsuit (3/2) helps.

Recommendation tuned for Forty Foot's current water temperature. Individual tolerance, wind chill, and session length all matter — when in doubt, size up.

Forty Foot swimming conditions summary

Water temperature
14.4°C
Water feels
Bracing
Swimmable today
Only with thermal protection
Swim conditions score
51/100 · Fair
Wetsuit needed
4/3mm fullsuit
Air temperature
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Waves
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Wind
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UV index
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Average sea temperature (September)
15.0 °C
Warmest months to swim
July, August, September

At 14.4°C you need a 4/3mm fullsuit, and many surfers add neoprene boots. 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 Forty Foot right now?

The sea at Forty Foot is currently 14.4°C — cold 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 Forty Foot next week?

Based on long-term September averages and the latest marine model, expect the sea around Forty Foot to sit close to 14.3°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 Forty Foot?

July – August – September are typically the warmest months to swim at Forty Foot, with sea temperatures at their seasonal peak.

Do I need a wetsuit at Forty Foot?

With water currently at 14.4°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.

Quick answer

Can I swim at Forty Foot today?

The sea is currently 14.4°C — fair swimming conditions. Acclimatised swimmers will be most comfortable.

Key takeaways
  • • Located in County Dublin, Ireland (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.

9°C → 16°C· Current month outlined· “Best” = within 2°C of the annual peak

Best time to swim in Forty Foot

The sea in Forty Foot peaks in August, when the water averages around 16°C.

On average, 0 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.

Outside peak season the water drops toward 9°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.

The coldest month is typically February at around 9°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.

Forty Foot sea temperature history

Long-term climatology for Forty Foot shows an annual mean sea temperature of 12°C, ranging from 9°C in winter to 16°C at the summer peak.

The seasonal swing is roughly 7°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 Forty Foot, 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.

Jan
10°C
Feb
9°C
Mar
9°C
Apr
10°C
May
11°C
Jun
13°C
Jul
15°C
Aug
16°C
Sep
15°C
Oct
14°C
Nov
12°C
Dec
11°C

Forty Foot sea temperature: frequently asked questions

What is the warmest month to swim in Forty Foot?

August is the warmest month in Forty Foot, when the sea averages about 16°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.

When is the sea coldest in Forty Foot?

The coldest month in Forty Foot is typically February, when the water averages around 9°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.

When can you swim in Forty Foot without a wetsuit?

The sea in Forty Foot rarely climbs above 20°C, so a wetsuit is recommended year-round for anything longer than a quick dip.

Do I need a wetsuit in Forty Foot?

Outside peak summer the water in Forty Foot drops toward 9°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 Forty Foot?

The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Forty Foot is about 12°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.

How do I check the current sea temperature in Forty Foot?

The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Forty Foot, 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

MonthSeaComfort
Jan10°CCold
Feb9°CCold
Mar9°CCold
Apr10°CCold
May11°CCold
Jun13°CCold
Jul15°CBracing
Aug ⭐16°CBracing
Sep15°CBracing
Oct14°CBracing
Nov12°CCold
Dec11°CCold

Nearby beaches

The closest coastline, with live water temperatures.