Where is the sea coldest in Africa in May?

Clifton 2nd Beach in South Africa has the coldest sea in Africa in May, averaging about 16.0 °C. Agadir Beach (18.0 °C) and Essaouira Beach are the next coolest.

How many beaches in Africa are warm enough to swim in May?

4 of the top 25 ranked beaches in Africa average 22 °C or more in May, which most swimmers find comfortable without a wetsuit.

How are these May sea temperatures calculated?

Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical May rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

Seasonal ranking

Coldest sea temperature in Africa in May

Where the sea is coolest across Africa during May, ranked by long-term monthly average water temperature. Clifton 2nd Beach (Western Cape, South Africa) is the coolest at around 16°C. Open any spot for today's live water temperature and a 7-day swim forecast.

1
Clifton 2nd Beach
Western Cape · South Africa · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
16°C
May average
2
Agadir Beach
Souss-Massa · Morocco · Atlantic Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
3
Essaouira Beach
Marrakesh-Safi · Morocco · Atlantic Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
4
Asilah Beach
Tangier · Morocco · Atlantic Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
5
Sidi Fredj Beach
Algiers · Algeria · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
6
Tipaza Beach
Tipaza · Algeria · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
7
Andalouses Beach
Oran · Algeria · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
8
Plage Legzira
Guelmim-Oued Noun · Morocco · Atlantic Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
9
Plage de Saidia
Oriental · Morocco · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
10
Plage Quemado
Tanger-Tetouan · Morocco · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
11
Taghazout Beach
Souss-Massa · Morocco · Atlantic Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
12
Plage Achakar
Tanger-Tetouan · Morocco · Atlantic Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
18°C
May average
13
Hammamet Yasmine
Nabeul · Tunisia · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
May average
14
Djerba Sidi Mahres
Medenine · Tunisia · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
May average
15
Monastir Skanes
Monastir · Tunisia · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
May average
16
Sousse Boujaffar
Sousse · Tunisia · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
May average
17
Sidi Bou Said Beach
Tunis · Tunisia · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
May average
18
Tabarka Beach
Jendouba · Tunisia · Mediterranean Sea
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
May average
19
Boulders Beach
Western Cape · South Africa · Atlantic Ocean
Pleasant — swimmable without a wetsuit
21°C
May average
20
Robberg Beach
Garden Route · South Africa · Indian Ocean
Pleasant — swimmable without a wetsuit
21°C
May average
21
Addington Beach
KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa · Indian Ocean
Pleasant — swimmable without a wetsuit
21°C
May average
22
Bazaruto Island
Inhambane · Mozambique · Indian Ocean
Pleasant — swimmable without a wetsuit
22°C
May average
23
Jambiani Beach
Zanzibar South · Tanzania · Indian Ocean
Pleasant — swimmable without a wetsuit
22°C
May average
24
Muizenberg Beach
Western Cape · South Africa · Indian Ocean
Pleasant — swimmable without a wetsuit
22°C
May average
25
Umhlanga Beach
KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa · Indian Ocean
Pleasant — swimmable without a wetsuit
22°C
May average

Coldest sea in May elsewhere

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Africa in May — frequently asked questions

Where is the sea coldest in Africa in May?: Clifton 2nd Beach in South Africa has the coldest sea in Africa in May, averaging about 16.0 °C. Agadir Beach (18.0 °C) and Essaouira Beach are the next coolest.
How many beaches in Africa are warm enough to swim in May?: 4 of the top 25 ranked beaches in Africa average 22 °C or more in May, which most swimmers find comfortable without a wetsuit.
How are these May sea temperatures calculated?: Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical May rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

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