Where is the sea coldest in North America in May?

Rissers Beach in Canada has the coldest sea in North America in May, averaging about 7.0 °C. Crystal Crescent (7.0 °C) and Hirtles Beach are the next coolest.

How many beaches in North America are warm enough to swim in May?

None of the top 25 ranked beaches in North America reach 22 °C in May, so a wetsuit is recommended for anything longer than a quick dip.

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 North America in May

Where the sea is coolest across North America during May, ranked by long-term monthly average water temperature. Rissers Beach (Nova Scotia, Canada) is the coolest at around 7°C. Open any spot for today's live water temperature and a 7-day swim forecast.

1
Rissers Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
2
Crystal Crescent
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
3
Hirtles Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
4
Carters Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
5
Mavillette Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
6
Melmerby Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
7
Inverness Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
8
Black Brook Cove
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
9
Stanhope Beach
Prince Edward Island · Canada · Gulf of St Lawrence
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
10
Greenwich Beach
Prince Edward Island · Canada · Gulf of St Lawrence
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
11
Singing Sands
Prince Edward Island · Canada · Gulf of St Lawrence
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
12
Thunder Cove
Prince Edward Island · Canada · Gulf of St Lawrence
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
13
Panmure Island
Prince Edward Island · Canada · Gulf of St Lawrence
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
14
Argyle Shore
Prince Edward Island · Canada · Gulf of St Lawrence
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
15
Cavendish Beach
Prince Edward Island · Canada · Gulf of St Lawrence
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
16
Brackley Beach
Prince Edward Island · Canada · Gulf of St Lawrence
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
17
Lawrencetown Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
18
Martinique Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
19
Risser's Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
20
Ingonish Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
21
Crescent Beach NS
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
22
White Point Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
23
Summerville Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
24
Cherry Hill Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average
25
Rainbow Haven Beach
Nova Scotia · Canada · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
7°C
May average

Coldest sea in May elsewhere

Europe South America Asia Africa Oceania United States United Kingdom Australia Italy Spain France Greece Mexico Portugal New Zealand Croatia Canada Ireland Thailand Indonesia Philippines Brazil Sweden Poland Denmark Norway Turkey Netherlands Germany Bulgaria Japan Cyprus Egypt India South Africa Dominican Republic Romania Costa Rica Malta Puerto Rico Bahamas Belgium Barbados South Korea Vietnam Jamaica Sri Lanka United Arab Emirates Oman US Virgin Islands Antigua and Barbuda Panama Finland Malaysia Curacao Argentina Chile Colombia Israel Tanzania Morocco Tunisia Turks and Caicos Fiji Aruba Albania Uruguay Peru Maldives Mauritius Belize Nicaragua Saint Lucia Cuba Mozambique French Polynesia Bonaire Honduras French Riviera Algarve Amalfi Coast Costa Brava Greek Islands Dalmatian Coast Florida Keys Great Barrier Reef Coast California Florida Hawaii New Jersey North Carolina Massachusetts South Carolina Texas New York Puerto Rico Maine Oregon Michigan Georgia Washington

North America in May — frequently asked questions

Where is the sea coldest in North America in May?: Rissers Beach in Canada has the coldest sea in North America in May, averaging about 7.0 °C. Crystal Crescent (7.0 °C) and Hirtles Beach are the next coolest.
How many beaches in North America are warm enough to swim in May?: None of the top 25 ranked beaches in North America reach 22 °C in May, so a wetsuit is recommended for anything longer than a quick dip.
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.

Explore every sea temperature page

Jump straight to a country, coastal region, city, seasonal ranking or comparison.

Swimming guides

Popular beach comparisons

Cala Estreta vs Platja d'Aro Cala Estreta vs Cala Sa Tuna Cala Pola vs Platja de Lloret Platja de Sant Pol vs Platja Gran Cala Montjoi vs Platja de Pals Cala Pola vs Platja de Sant Pol Cala Estreta vs Platja de Pals Aiguablava vs Cala Estreta Cambrils Playa vs Platja de la Pineda Platja de la Pineda vs Platja Llarga Platja del Miracle vs Salou Levante Playa del Carabassí vs Playa del Postiguet Playa de San Juan vs Playa del Carabassí Playa de la Fossa vs Playa de Levante Playa de la Fossa vs Playa de Poniente Cala Finestrat vs Playa del Albir Cala el Portet vs Playa de la Fossa Cala del Moraig vs Playa del Arenal Compare any two beaches →

Freshwater swimming

All lake water temperatures (525)Live lake map Compare lakes Rivers & swimming holes Albania lakes Argentina lakes armenia lakes Australia lakes austria lakes Belgium lakes Australia rivers austria rivers Canada rivers Croatia rivers czechia rivers Finland rivers Live sea temperature map Swimming guides

Keep exploring

Live sea temperature mapEvery coast, updated hourly Warmest beaches todayLive ranking right now Compare two beachesSide-by-side swim conditions Lake water temperaturesFreshwater swimming spots Rivers & swimming holesWild swimming conditions All destinationsBrowse by country & region

Warmest sea this month

europe north america asia oceania

Coldest sea temperature in North America in May

Coldest sea in May elsewhere

North America in May — frequently asked questions

Explore every sea temperature page

Sea temperature by country

Coastal region hubs

Water temperature today by city

Warmest sea in August

Warmest sea month by month (Europe)

Coldest sea this month

Swimming guides

Popular beach comparisons

Freshwater swimming

Keep exploring

Warmest sea this month