Aquitaine is a coastal area of France on the Atlantic Ocean, with 72 tracked beaches. The sea here ranges from about 13°C in the coolest month to 24°C at the summer peak, with roughly 4 months a year sitting above 20°C — the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit. Use the beach list below to check the current sea temperature at each spot before you head out.
Aquitaine
72 tracked beaches in Aquitaine, France, with live Atlantic Ocean temperatures.
Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Avg sea temp now
16.0°C
Best months
June – September
Best time to swim in Aquitaine
The sea in Aquitaine peaks in August, when the water averages around 24°C.
The main swimming season runs from June – September, when surface temperatures stay comfortable for extended sessions.
On average, 4 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Shoulder months like May and October are noticeably cooler but often quieter, with fewer crowds and steadier weather.
Outside peak season the water drops toward 15°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.
The coldest month is typically January at around 13°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.
Aquitaine sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Aquitaine shows an annual mean sea temperature of 17°C, ranging from 13°C in winter to 24°C at the summer peak.
The seasonal swing is roughly 11°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 Aquitaine, 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
13°C
Feb
13°C
Mar
13°C
Apr
14°C
May
17°C
Jun
20°C
Jul
23°C
Aug
24°C
Sep
22°C
Oct
19°C
Nov
16°C
Dec
14°C
Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.
Aquitaine sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Aquitaine?
August is the warmest month in Aquitaine, when the sea averages about 24°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Aquitaine?
The coldest month in Aquitaine is typically January, when the water averages around 13°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Aquitaine without a wetsuit?
The main swimming season in Aquitaine runs from June – September — about 4 months a year when the sea sits above 20°C, the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do I need a wetsuit in Aquitaine?
Outside peak summer the water in Aquitaine drops toward 15°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 Aquitaine?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Aquitaine is about 17°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Aquitaine?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Aquitaine, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.
Beaches in the Aquitaine
Ranked by current live sea temperature.
- 1Plage de LacanauLacanau-Océan, France16.7°C
- 2Plage de MiramarBiarritz, France16.7°C
- 3Plage de la PisteCapbreton, France16.7°C
- 4Plage d'IlbarritzBidart, France16.6°C
- 5Plage de MimizanMimizan-Plage, France16.6°C
- 6Plage CentraleHossegor, France16.5°C
- 7Plage de Bidart CentreBidart, France16.5°C
- 8Plage Nord BiscarrosseBiscarrosse-Plage, France16.5°C
- 9Plage du GressierLe Porge, France16.5°C
- 10Plage Nord SoulacSoulac-sur-Mer, France16.5°C
- 11Plage des CasernesSeignosse, France16.4°C
- 12Plage du PenonSeignosse, France16.4°C
- 13Plage de LéonLéon, France16.4°C
- 14Plage du Grand CrohotLège-Cap-Ferret, France16.4°C
- 15Plage NaturelleVieux-Boucau, France16.3°C
- 16Plage du Truc VertLège-Cap-Ferret, France16.3°C
- 17Plage du Cap FerretLège-Cap-Ferret, France16.3°C
- 18Plage de la MadragueAnglet, France16.2°C
- 19Plage de CenitzGuéthary, France16.2°C
- 20Plage Sud Vieux-BoucauVieux-Boucau, France16.2°C
- 21Plage de BiasBias, France16.2°C
- 22Plage des AbatillesArcachon, France16.2°C
- 23Plage de l'Horizon NordLacanau-Océan, France16.2°C
- 24Plage Sud SoulacSoulac-sur-Mer, France16.2°C
- 25Plage CentraleLacanau, France16.1°C
- 26Plage de CapbretonCapbreton, France16.1°C
- 27Plage des CavaliersAnglet, France16.1°C
- 28Plage de LafiteniaSaint-Jean-de-Luz, France16.1°C
- 29Plage de MolietsMoliets-et-Maa, France16.1°C
- 30Plage Nord MimizanMimizan-Plage, France16.1°C
- 31Plage du MoulleauArcachon, France16.1°C
- 32Plage Sud LacanauLacanau-Océan, France16.1°C
- 33Plage de la Grande PlageBiarritz, France16.0°C
- 34Plage du SilverAnglet, France16.0°C
- 35Plage PereireArcachon, France16.0°C
- 36Plage de l'HorizonLège-Cap-Ferret, France16.0°C
- 37Plage des BourdainesSeignosse, France15.9°C
- 38Plage du PylaPyla-sur-Mer, France15.9°C
- 39Grande Plage de BiarritzBiarritz, France15.9°C
- 40Plage MarbellaBiarritz, France15.9°C
- 41Plage SudCapbreton, France15.9°C
- 42Plage de Vieux Saint-GironsSaint-Girons-Plage, France15.9°C
- 43Plage de l'AmélieSoulac-sur-Mer, France15.9°C
- 44Plage de la Dune du PilatLa Teste-de-Buch, France15.8°C
- 45Plage des Sables d'OrAnglet, France15.8°C
- 46Plage de la BarreAnglet, France15.8°C
- 47Plage de Port-VieuxBiarritz, France15.7°C
- 48Grande Plage de Saint-Jean-de-LuzSaint-Jean-de-Luz, France15.7°C
- 49Plage des EstagnotsSeignosse, France15.7°C
- 50Plage de la CornicheLa Teste-de-Buch, France15.7°C
- 51Plage ThiersArcachon, France15.7°C
- 52Plage de CarcansCarcans-Plage, France15.7°C
- 53Plage MarinellaAnglet, France15.6°C
- 54Plage des OcéanidesContis, France15.6°C
- 55Plage de MontalivetVendays-Montalivet, France15.6°C
- 56Plage de HendayeHendaye, France15.5°C
- 57Plage de la PointeCap Ferret, France15.5°C
- 58Plage de la MiladyBiarritz, France15.5°C
- 59Plage de GuétharyGuéthary, France15.5°C
- 60Plage d'ErretegiaBidart, France15.5°C
- 61Plage NordHossegor, France15.5°C
- 62Plage des Culs NusSeignosse, France15.5°C
- 63Plage des Chênes-LiègesMessanges, France15.5°C
- 64Plage Sud BiscarrosseBiscarrosse-Plage, France15.5°C
- 65Plage de la Côte des BasquesBiarritz, France15.4°C
- 66Plage de la Grande PlageSaint-Jean-de-Luz, France15.4°C
- 67Plage de Chambre d'AmourAnglet, France15.4°C
- 68Plage d'ErromardieSaint-Jean-de-Luz, France15.4°C
- 69Plage des OcéanidesCapbreton, France15.4°C
- 70Plage Centrale de MessangesMessanges, France15.4°C
- 71Plage du PréventCapbreton, France15.3°C
- 72Plage de Petit NiceLa Teste-de-Buch, France15.3°C
Swimming in the Aquitaine — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Aquitaine in November?
The Atlantic Ocean off the Aquitaine averages about 16.0°C in November, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.
When is the best time to swim in the Aquitaine?
The Aquitaine is warmest in August (around 24.0°C) and coldest in January (around 13.0°C). There are typically 3 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.
What is the average yearly sea temperature in the Aquitaine?
Across all twelve months, the sea in the Aquitaine averages about 17.3°C.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in the Aquitaine?
In peak season (around August, ~24.0°C) most swimmers are comfortable without a wetsuit. Outside summer, when the water drops toward 13.0°C, a 3/2mm to 5/4mm wetsuit is recommended.