Sea temperature in Norway
Live water temperatures and swimming conditions across 43 beaches on the Norway coast.
Best time to swim in Norway
The sea in Norway peaks in August, when the water averages around 17°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 6°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.
The coldest month is typically February at around 3°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.
Norway sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Norway shows an annual mean sea temperature of 9°C, ranging from 3°C in winter to 17°C at the summer peak.
The seasonal swing is roughly 14°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 Norway, 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.
Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.
Norway sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Norway?
August is the warmest month in Norway, when the sea averages about 17°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Norway?
The coldest month in Norway is typically February, when the water averages around 3°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Norway without a wetsuit?
The sea in Norway 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 Norway?
Outside peak summer the water in Norway drops toward 6°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 Norway?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Norway is about 9°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Norway?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Norway, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.
Norway sea temperature by month
Average sea temperatures around Norway for every month of the year, based on long-term Open-Meteo marine climatology.
| Month | Average sea | Swimming comfort |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.0°C | Too cold for most |
| February | 3.0°C | Too cold for most |
| March | 3.0°C | Too cold for most |
| April | 5.0°C | Too cold for most |
| May | 9.0°C | Too cold for most |
| June | 13.0°C | Too cold for most |
| July | 16.0°C | Bracing — wetsuit advised |
| August ⭐ | 17.0°C | Bracing — wetsuit advised |
| September | 15.0°C | Bracing — wetsuit advised |
| October | 11.0°C | Too cold for most |
| November | 7.0°C | Too cold for most |
| December | 5.0°C | Too cold for most |
Monthly figures are modelled climatology averages, not live readings. How accurate is our data?
Warmest beaches in Norway right now
| Beach | Region | Sea | Swim score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refviksanden | West Coast | 17.5°C | Fair |
| Hoddevik Beach | West Coast | 17.4°C | Fair |
| Ervika Beach | West Coast | 16.8°C | Fair |
| Vaerlandet Beach | West Coast | 16.6°C | Fair |
| Mineral Beach Mandal | South Coast | 7.7°C | Poor |
| Godalen Beach | South Coast | 7.7°C | Poor |
| Ramberg Beach | Lofoten | 7.7°C | Poor |
| Kvalvika Beach | Lofoten | 7.7°C | Poor |
| Bunes Beach | Lofoten | 7.7°C | Poor |
| Bunes Beach | Lofoten | 7.7°C | Poor |
| Solastranden | South Coast | 7.6°C | Poor |
| Kvalvika Beach | Lofoten | 7.6°C | Poor |
| Hamresanden Beach | South Coast | 7.5°C | Poor |
| Sommaroy Beach | Trondelag | 7.5°C | Poor |
| Orrestranden | Southwest Norway | 7.5°C | Poor |
| Sjøsanden | South Coast | 7.4°C | Poor |
| Ula Beach | South Coast | 7.4°C | Poor |
| Brusand Beach | South Coast | 7.3°C | Poor |
| Mølen Beach | South Coast | 7.3°C | Poor |
| Stavern Beach | South Coast | 7.3°C | Poor |
| Ramberg Beach | Lofoten | 7.3°C | Poor |
| Sele Beach | South Coast | 7.2°C | Poor |
| Ogna Beach | South Coast | 7.2°C | Poor |
| Hellestø Beach | South Coast | 7.2°C | Poor |
| Tungeneset | Nordland | 7.2°C | Poor |
| Horseid Beach | Lofoten | 7.1°C | Poor |
| Skagsanden Beach | Lofoten | 7.1°C | Poor |
| Andoya Bleik | Nordland | 7.1°C | Poor |
| Ersfjord Senja | Nordland | 7.1°C | Poor |
| Storesand Larvik | South Coast | 7.0°C | Poor |
| Lyngør Beach | South Coast | 7.0°C | Poor |
| Solastranden | Southwest Norway | 7.0°C | Poor |
| Haukland | Lofoten | 6.9°C | Poor |
| Refsnes Beach | South Coast | 6.9°C | Poor |
| Orre Beach | South Coast | 6.8°C | Poor |
| Borestranden | Southwest Norway | 6.8°C | Poor |
| Grimstad Beach | South Coast | 6.7°C | Poor |
| Rystad Beach | Lofoten | 6.7°C | Poor |
| Bore Beach | South Coast | 6.6°C | Poor |
| Bystranda Kristiansand | South Coast | 6.5°C | Poor |
| Nevlunghavn Beach | South Coast | 6.5°C | Poor |
| Uttakleiv | Lofoten | 6.4°C | Poor |
| Yttersand Beach | Lofoten | 6.3°C | Poor |
Sea temperature in Norway — FAQ
How warm is the sea in Norway in November?
The sea off Norway averages about 7.0°C in November, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.
When is the best time to swim in Norway?
Norway is warmest in August (around 17.0°C) and coldest in February (around 3.0°C). There are typically 0 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.
What is the average yearly sea temperature in Norway?
Across all twelve months, the sea in Norway averages about 9.0°C.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in Norway?
The sea in Norway stays below 22°C even at its warmest (~17.0°C in August), so a 3/2mm or thicker wetsuit is recommended for longer swims year-round.