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Sea temperature in Ireland

Live water temperatures and swimming conditions across 128 beaches on the Ireland coast.

Best time to swim in Ireland

The sea in Ireland 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.

Ireland sea temperature history

Long-term climatology for Ireland 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 Ireland, 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

Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.

Ireland sea temperature: frequently asked questions

What is the warmest month to swim in Ireland?

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

When is the sea coldest in Ireland?

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

When can you swim in Ireland without a wetsuit?

The sea in Ireland 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 Ireland?

Outside peak summer the water in Ireland 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 Ireland?

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

How do I check the current sea temperature in Ireland?

The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Ireland, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.

Ireland sea temperature by month

Average sea temperatures around Ireland for every month of the year, based on long-term Open-Meteo marine climatology.

Monthly average sea temperature in Ireland
MonthAverage sea
January10.0°C
February9.0°C
March9.0°C
April10.0°C
May11.0°C
June13.0°C
July15.0°C
August ⭐16.0°C
September15.0°C
October14.0°C
November12.0°C
December11.0°C

Monthly figures are modelled climatology averages, not live readings. How accurate is our data?

Coastal regions of Ireland

Region hubs with live sea temperatures, swim conditions and a beach directory.

West Coast
7 beaches
28 tracked beaches in West Coast, Ireland, with live Celtic Sea temperatures.

Warmest beaches in Ireland right now

BeachRegionSea
Tyrella BeachCounty Down12.7°C
Bertra BeachCounty Mayo12.7°C
Banna StrandCounty Kerry12.7°C
Barleycove BeachCork12.7°C
Kinnagoe BayDonegal12.7°C
Dooagh BeachMayo12.7°C
Mulranny BeachMayo12.7°C
Templetown BeachCounty Louth12.6°C
Murlough BeachCounty Down12.6°C
Benone StrandCounty Londonderry12.6°C
Portrush East StrandCounty Antrim12.6°C
Ballycastle BeachCounty Antrim12.6°C
OwenahinchaCounty Cork12.6°C
Booley BayCounty Wexford12.6°C
Wine StrandKerry12.6°C
Redbarn BeachCork12.6°C
Traught BeachGalway12.6°C
Gurteen BayGalway12.6°C
SilverstrandCounty Galway12.5°C
Clonea BeachCounty Waterford12.5°C
Counsellor's BeachCounty Waterford12.5°C
Morriscastle BeachCounty Wexford12.5°C
Fountainstown BeachCork12.5°C
Malahide BeachDublin12.5°C
Portnoo BeachDonegal12.5°C
FanoreWest Coast12.4°C
Pollan BayCounty Donegal12.4°C
Marble Hill StrandCounty Donegal12.4°C
White StrandCounty Clare12.4°C
Dunmore StrandCounty Waterford12.4°C
Fenit BeachKerry12.4°C
Sandymount StrandDublin12.4°C
Killiney BeachDublin12.4°C
Carrowniskey BeachMayo12.4°C
Trá an DóilínGalway12.4°C
Coral StrandGalway12.4°C
InchydoneyWest Coast12.3°C
SandycoveCounty Dublin12.3°C
Duncannon BeachWexford12.3°C
Enniscrone BeachSligo12.3°C
Culdaff BeachDonegal12.3°C
Keem BayWest Coast12.2°C
Forty FootCounty Dublin12.2°C
Bettystown BeachCounty Meath12.2°C
Carrickfin BeachCounty Donegal12.2°C
Spiddal BeachCounty Galway12.2°C
Ballymoney BeachCounty Wexford12.2°C
Owenahincha BeachCork12.2°C
Ardmore BeachWaterford12.2°C
Strandhill BeachSligo12.2°C
Streedagh BeachSligo12.2°C
Silver Strand Malin BegDonegal12.2°C
Lisfannon BeachCounty Donegal12.1°C
Ballinskelligs BeachCounty Kerry12.1°C
Rossbeigh BeachKerry12.1°C
Ventry BeachKerry12.1°C
Garryvoe BeachCork12.1°C
Youghal BeachCork12.1°C
Bundoran BeachDonegal12.1°C
Portsalon BeachDonegal12.1°C
Fintra BeachDonegal12.1°C
Dogs BayGalway12.1°C
DerrynaneWest Coast12.0°C
Donabate BeachCounty Dublin12.0°C
Balbriggan Front StrandCounty Dublin12.0°C
Portstewart StrandCounty Londonderry12.0°C
Dugort BeachCounty Mayo12.0°C
Mannin Bay BeachCounty Galway12.0°C
Inch BeachCounty Kerry12.0°C
Garrylucas BeachCounty Cork12.0°C
Bray BeachWicklow12.0°C
Portrane BeachDublin12.0°C
Templetown BeachLouth12.0°C
Dog's BayWest Coast11.9°C
PortmarnockEast Coast11.9°C
Ballycotton BeachCork11.9°C
Rossnowlagh BeachDonegal11.9°C
Downings BeachDonegal11.9°C
Spanish PointClare11.9°C
CurracloeEast Coast11.8°C
Silver StrandCounty Wicklow11.8°C
Cranfield BeachCounty Down11.8°C
Redbarn BeachCounty Cork11.8°C
Skerries BeachDublin11.8°C
Marble Hill BeachDonegal11.8°C
Old Head LouisburghMayo11.8°C
Ross BeachMayo11.8°C
Aughrus BeachGalway11.8°C
StreedaghWest Coast11.7°C
Portrush West StrandCounty Antrim11.7°C
Maharees BeachCounty Kerry11.7°C
Garretstown BeachCounty Cork11.7°C
Garryvoe BeachCounty Cork11.7°C
Claycastle BeachCounty Cork11.7°C
Ballybunion BeachKerry11.7°C
Garrettstown BeachCork11.7°C
Tramore BeachWaterford11.7°C
Clogherhead BeachLouth11.7°C
Silver Strand SherkinMayo11.7°C
Doonbeg BeachClare11.7°C
Brittas BayEast Coast11.6°C
SeapointCounty Dublin11.6°C
Coumeenoole BeachKerry11.6°C
Clonea BeachWaterford11.6°C
Ballymoney BeachWexford11.6°C
Rosses PointSligo11.6°C
Salthill BeachGalway11.6°C
Inch BeachWest Coast11.5°C
Whiterocks BeachCounty Antrim11.5°C
Tullagh BayCounty Donegal11.5°C
Bunmahon BeachWaterford11.5°C
Mullaghmore BeachSligo11.5°C
Keel BeachMayo11.5°C
Glassilaun BeachGalway11.5°C
Lettergesh BeachGalway11.5°C
Kilkee BeachClare11.5°C
Laytown BeachCounty Meath11.4°C
Buncrana BeachCounty Donegal11.4°C
Stroove BeachCounty Donegal11.4°C
White Strand CaherciveenCounty Kerry11.4°C
Banna StrandKerry11.4°C
Greystones BeachWicklow11.4°C
Lahinch BeachClare11.4°C
BallycuggaranClare11.4°C
Rosslare BeachWexford11.3°C
Courtown BeachWexford11.3°C
Dollymount StrandDublin11.3°C
Blackrock BeachLouth11.3°C

Sea temperature in Ireland — FAQ

How warm is the sea in Ireland in November?

The sea off Ireland averages about 12.0°C in November, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.

When is the best time to swim in Ireland?

Ireland is warmest in August (around 16.0°C) and coldest in February (around 9.0°C). There are typically 0 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.

What is the average yearly sea temperature in Ireland?

Across all twelve months, the sea in Ireland averages about 12.1°C.

Do you need a wetsuit to swim in Ireland?

The sea in Ireland stays below 22°C even at its warmest (~16.0°C in August), so a 3/2mm or thicker wetsuit is recommended for longer swims year-round.