Where is the sea coldest in South America in December?

Praia do Forte in Brazil has the coldest sea in South America in December, averaging about 15.0 °C. Morro de Sao Paulo (15.0 °C) and Praia do Espelho are the next coolest.

How many beaches in South America are warm enough to swim in December?

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

How are these December sea temperatures calculated?

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

Seasonal ranking

Coldest sea temperature in South America in December

Where the sea is coolest across South America during December, ranked by long-term monthly average water temperature. Praia do Forte (Bahia, Brazil) is the coolest at around 15°C. Open any spot for today's live water temperature and a 7-day swim forecast.

1
Praia do Forte
Bahia · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
2
Morro de Sao Paulo
Bahia · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
3
Praia do Espelho
Bahia · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
4
Praia dos Carneiros
Pernambuco · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
5
Porto de Galinhas
Pernambuco · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
6
Praia de Pajucara
Alagoas · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
7
Praia de Canoa Quebrada
Ceara · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
8
Praia do Futuro
Ceara · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
9
Praia de Cumbuco
Ceara · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
10
Praia da Pipa
Rio Grande do Norte · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
11
Praia de Jurere
Santa Catarina · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
12
Praia de Bombinhas
Santa Catarina · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
13
Balneario Camboriu
Santa Catarina · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
14
Praia de Buzios
Rio de Janeiro · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
15
Praia Vermelha
Rio de Janeiro · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
16
Praia do Forno
Rio de Janeiro · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
17
Prainha Beach Rio
Rio de Janeiro · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
18
Praia da Ferradura
Rio de Janeiro · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
19
Porto da Barra Beach
Bahia · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
20
Segunda Praia
Bahia · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
21
Praia de Maracaipe
Pernambuco · Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
15°C
December average
22
Viña del Mar Reñaca
Valparaíso · Chile · Pacific Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
December average
23
La Serena
Coquimbo · Chile · Pacific Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
December average
24
Bahía Inglesa
Atacama · Chile · Pacific Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
December average
25
Iquique Playa Cavancha
Tarapacá · Chile · Pacific Ocean
Mild — fine for a swim, cool at first
20°C
December average

Coldest sea in December elsewhere

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South America in December — frequently asked questions

Where is the sea coldest in South America in December?: Praia do Forte in Brazil has the coldest sea in South America in December, averaging about 15.0 °C. Morro de Sao Paulo (15.0 °C) and Praia do Espelho are the next coolest.
How many beaches in South America are warm enough to swim in December?: None of the top 25 ranked beaches in South America reach 22 °C in December, so a wetsuit is recommended for anything longer than a quick dip.
How are these December sea temperatures calculated?: Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical December rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

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