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Sea temperature in Canada

Live water temperatures and swimming conditions across 152 beaches on the Canada coast.

Best time to swim in Canada

The sea in Canada 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.

Canada sea temperature history

Long-term climatology for Canada 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 Canada, 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
4°C
Feb
3°C
Mar
4°C
Apr
5°C
May
8°C
Jun
12°C
Jul
16°C
Aug
17°C
Sep
15°C
Oct
11°C
Nov
8°C
Dec
5°C

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

Canada sea temperature: frequently asked questions

What is the warmest month to swim in Canada?

August is the warmest month in Canada, when the sea averages about 17°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.

When is the sea coldest in Canada?

The coldest month in Canada is typically February, when the water averages around 3°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.

When can you swim in Canada without a wetsuit?

The sea in Canada 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 Canada?

Outside peak summer the water in Canada 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 Canada?

The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Canada is about 9°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.

How do I check the current sea temperature in Canada?

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

Canada sea temperature by month

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

Monthly average sea temperature in Canada
MonthAverage sea
January4.0°C
February3.0°C
March4.0°C
April5.0°C
May8.0°C
June12.0°C
July16.0°C
August ⭐17.0°C
September15.0°C
October11.0°C
November8.0°C
December5.0°C

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

Coastal regions of Canada

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

British Columbia
28 beaches
28 tracked beaches in British Columbia, Canada, with live Pacific Ocean temperatures.
Nova Scotia
28 beaches
28 tracked beaches in Nova Scotia, Canada, with live Atlantic Ocean temperatures.

Warmest beaches in Canada right now

BeachRegionSea
MacKenzie BeachBritish Columbia21.6°C
Cadboro BayBritish Columbia10.6°C
Parksville BeachBritish Columbia10.6°C
Cates ParkBritish Columbia10.4°C
Sombrio BeachBritish Columbia10.4°C
Locarno BeachBritish Columbia10.3°C
Mystic BeachBritish Columbia10.2°C
Rathtrevor BeachBritish Columbia10.2°C
Long BeachBritish Columbia10.1°C
Whytecliff ParkBritish Columbia10.0°C
English BayBritish Columbia9.9°C
Third BeachBritish Columbia9.9°C
Second BeachBritish Columbia9.9°C
Ambleside BeachBritish Columbia9.9°C
White Rock BeachBritish Columbia9.9°C
Jericho BeachBritish Columbia9.8°C
Spanish BanksBritish Columbia9.8°C
Chesterman BeachBritish Columbia9.8°C
Centennial BeachBritish Columbia9.8°C
Wickaninnish BeachBritish Columbia9.7°C
Gonzales BeachBritish Columbia9.7°C
Crescent BeachBritish Columbia9.7°C
China BeachBritish Columbia9.6°C
Willows BeachBritish Columbia9.6°C
Qualicum BeachBritish Columbia9.5°C
Wreck BeachBritish Columbia9.4°C
Cox BayBritish Columbia9.4°C
Kitsilano BeachBritish Columbia9.3°C
Twin Shores BeachPEI8.7°C
Northport BeachPEI8.7°C
Carters BeachNova Scotia8.6°C
Florencia BayVancouver Island8.6°C
Southampton BeachOntario Huron8.6°C
Singing SandsOntario Huron8.6°C
Rock Point BeachOntario Erie8.6°C
Point Michaud BeachNova Scotia8.6°C
Plage de Sandy HookQuebec8.6°C
Rissers BeachNova Scotia8.5°C
Melmerby BeachNova Scotia8.5°C
Caribou MunroesNova Scotia8.5°C
Rebecca SpitVancouver Island8.5°C
Souris BeachPEI8.5°C
Salmon Cove SandsNewfoundland8.5°C
Plage Jacques-CartierQuebec8.5°C
Plage Havre-aux-BasquesQuebec8.5°C
Black Brook CoveNova Scotia8.4°C
Goderich BeachOntario Huron8.4°C
Turkey PointOntario Erie8.4°C
White Point BeachNova Scotia8.4°C
Sandbanks Provincial ParkNewfoundland8.4°C
Mavillette BeachNova Scotia8.3°C
Inverness BeachNova Scotia8.3°C
Tribune BayVancouver Island8.3°C
Kincardine BeachOntario Huron8.3°C
Bayfield BeachOntario Huron8.3°C
Katherine CoveOntario Superior8.3°C
Old Woman BayOntario Superior8.3°C
Martinique BeachNova Scotia8.3°C
Plage Val-ComeauQuebec8.3°C
Lawrencetown BeachNova Scotia8.2°C
Big Beach UclueletVancouver Island8.2°C
Botany Bay RenfrewVancouver Island8.2°C
Ipperwash BeachOntario Huron8.2°C
Providence BayOntario Huron8.2°C
Summerville BeachNova Scotia8.2°C
Cherry Hill BeachNova Scotia8.2°C
Plage de Cap-des-RosiersQuebec8.2°C
Plage de l'OuestQuebec8.2°C
Risser's BeachNova Scotia8.1°C
Cabots Landing BeachNova Scotia8.1°C
Chesterman's NewfoundlandNewfoundland8.1°C
Northern Bay SandsNewfoundland8.1°C
Plage de Cap ChatQuebec8.1°C
French BeachVancouver Island8.0°C
Miracle BeachVancouver Island8.0°C
Port Elgin BeachOntario Huron8.0°C
Bruce PeninsulaOntario Huron8.0°C
Pancake BayOntario Superior8.0°C
Sandy Cove NewfoundlandNewfoundland8.0°C
Plage de l'AnseQuebec8.0°C
Hirtles BeachNova Scotia7.9°C
Ingonish BeachNova Scotia7.9°C
Ingonish BeachNova Scotia7.9°C
Long BeachVancouver Island7.9°C
Port Dover BeachOntario Erie7.9°C
Crescent Beach NSNova Scotia7.9°C
Caribou BeachNova Scotia7.9°C
Pomquet BeachNova Scotia7.9°C
Middle Cove BeachNewfoundland7.9°C
Parlee Beach QCQuebec7.9°C
Plage de l'AboiteauQuebec7.9°C
China BeachVancouver Island7.8°C
Tobermory BeachOntario Huron7.8°C
Mavillette BeachNova Scotia7.8°C
Cavendish NewfoundlandNewfoundland7.8°C
Martinique BeachNova Scotia7.7°C
Hirtles BeachNova Scotia7.7°C
Melmerby BeachNova Scotia7.7°C
Argyle ShorePEI7.7°C
Cobourg BeachOntario7.6°C
Outlet BeachOntario7.6°C
Plage Anse-a-BeaufilsQuebec7.6°C
Plage de la Dune du SudQuebec7.6°C
Crystal CrescentNova Scotia7.5°C
Saratoga BeachVancouver Island7.5°C
Pinery BeachOntario Huron7.5°C
Point Pelee BeachOntario Erie7.5°C
Carters BeachNova Scotia7.5°C
Wood Islands BeachPEI7.5°C
Hanlan's PointOntario7.4°C
Cherry BeachOntario7.4°C
Sauble BeachOntario7.4°C
South BeachVancouver Island7.4°C
Kye BayVancouver Island7.4°C
Sandy Cove HornbyVancouver Island7.4°C
Ward's Island BeachOntario7.4°C
Agawa BayOntario Superior7.4°C
Panmure Island BeachPEI7.4°C
Chelton BeachPEI7.4°C
Plage Saint-UlricQuebec7.4°C
Sandbanks BeachOntario7.3°C
Mystic BeachVancouver Island7.3°C
Sunnyside BeachOntario7.3°C
Rainbow Haven BeachNova Scotia7.3°C
Plage de la Grande EchouerieQuebec7.3°C
Wasaga BeachOntario7.1°C
Woodbine BeachOntario6.8°C
Presqu'ile BeachOntario6.8°C
Bluffer's BeachOntario6.7°C
Long Point BeachOntario6.6°C
Kelly's BeachNew Brunswick6.6°C
St Martins BeachNew Brunswick6.6°C
Thunder CovePrince Edward Island6.4°C
Grand Bend BeachOntario6.4°C
Murray Beach NBNew Brunswick6.4°C
New River BeachNew Brunswick6.4°C
New River BeachNew Brunswick6.4°C
Port Stanley BeachOntario6.3°C
Brackley BeachPrince Edward Island6.3°C
Herring Cove BeachNew Brunswick6.3°C
Murray BeachNew Brunswick6.2°C
Parlee BeachNew Brunswick6.2°C
Stanhope BeachPrince Edward Island6.1°C
Cavendish BeachPrince Edward Island6.1°C
Greenwich BeachPrince Edward Island6.0°C
Argyle ShorePrince Edward Island6.0°C
Basin Head BeachPrince Edward Island6.0°C
Singing SandsPrince Edward Island5.8°C
Panmure IslandPrince Edward Island5.8°C
Aboiteau BeachNew Brunswick5.8°C
Kelly's BeachNew Brunswick5.8°C
Cap-EnrageNew Brunswick5.8°C

Sea temperature in Canada — FAQ

How warm is the sea in Canada in November?

The sea off Canada averages about 8.0°C in November, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.

When is the best time to swim in Canada?

Canada 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 Canada?

Across all twelve months, the sea in Canada averages about 9.0°C.

Do you need a wetsuit to swim in Canada?

The sea in Canada 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.