Can I swim at Pfeiffer Beach right now?

The sea at Pfeiffer Beach is currently 12.5°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 Pfeiffer Beach next week?

Based on long-term June averages and the latest marine model, expect the sea around Pfeiffer Beach to sit close to 14.7°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 Pfeiffer Beach?

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

Do I need a wetsuit at Pfeiffer Beach?

With water currently at 12.5°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.

United States

Central California · Pacific Ocean

Pfeiffer Beach

Popular Central California beach near Big Sur.

Cool water with a moderate swell and a moderate breeze — tough conditions for unprotected swimming.

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Sea temperature now

12.5°Ccool

Poor

Updated just now · Source: Open-Meteo Marine

Air temperature

12.2°C

Wave height

1.8 m

Wind

21.7 km/h

UV index

0.0 UV index

Location

Pfeiffer Beach 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

5/4mm fullsuit + boots & gloves

At 12.5°C you need a 5/4mm fullsuit with boots, gloves and ideally a hood.

+ 5mm boots
+ 3mm gloves
+ Hood for extended sessions

Surf & watersports

Cold — winter conditions across most of northern Europe and North America. A 5/4mm hooded suit, 5mm boots and 3mm gloves are essential to avoid hypothermia and ice-cream headaches. Limit sessions to 45–60 minutes and warm up immediately after exiting.

Open-water swimming

Cold-water swim experience required; keep dips under 15 minutes.

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

Quick answer

Can I swim at Pfeiffer Beach today?

The sea is currently 12.5°C — poor swimming conditions. Acclimatised swimmers will be most comfortable.

Key takeaways

• Located in Central California, United States (Pacific Ocean).
• Best suited to confident swimmers and watersports.
• Live data refreshed hourly from Open-Meteo Marine.

Monthly sea temperature averages

Tap any month to see what to expect — based on regional climatology.

Jan12°C Feb12°C Mar12°C Apr12°C May13°C Jun14°C Jul15°C Aug16°C Sep16°C Oct15°C Nov14°C Dec13°C

12°C → 16°C· Current month outlined· “Best” = within 2°C of the annual peak

Year-round sea temperature

Month	Sea	Comfort
Jan	12°C	Cold
Feb	12°C	Cold
Mar	12°C	Cold
Apr	12°C	Cold
May	13°C	Cold
Jun	14°C	Bracing
Jul	15°C	Bracing
Aug ⭐	16°C	Bracing
Sep	16°C	Bracing
Oct	15°C	Bracing
Nov	14°C	Bracing
Dec	13°C	Cold