Brittany is a coastal area of France on the Atlantic Ocean, with 34 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.
Brittany
34 tracked beaches in Brittany, France, with live Atlantic Ocean temperatures.
Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Avg sea temp now
21.9°C
Best months
June – September
Best time to swim in Brittany
The sea in Brittany 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.
Brittany sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Brittany 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 Brittany, 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.
Brittany sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Brittany?
August is the warmest month in Brittany, when the sea averages about 24°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Brittany?
The coldest month in Brittany is typically January, when the water averages around 13°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Brittany without a wetsuit?
The main swimming season in Brittany 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 Brittany?
Outside peak summer the water in Brittany 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 Brittany?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Brittany is about 17°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Brittany?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Brittany, 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 Brittany
Ranked by current live sea temperature.
- 1Plage de LégenèseCarnac, France22.6°C
- 2Plage de Pors CarnSaint-Guénolé, France22.5°C
- 3Plage de TrestraouPerros-Guirec, France22.5°C
- 4Plage de Saint-MichelErdeven, France22.4°C
- 5Plage de BénodetBénodet, France22.3°C
- 6Plage de Saint-CastSaint-Cast-le-Guildo, France22.3°C
- 7Plage de BinicBinic, France22.3°C
- 8Plage des Grands SablesÎle de Groix, France22.2°C
- 9Plage de la Ville GerSaint-Malo, France22.2°C
- 10Plage de Saint-LunaireSaint-Lunaire, France22.1°C
- 11Plage de BenoîtLa Baule-Escoublac, France22.1°C
- 12Plage de RochebonneSaint-Malo, France22.1°C
- 13La Baule BeachLa Baule, France21.9°C
- 14Plage de Bon SecoursSaint-Malo, France21.9°C
- 15Plage de LongchampSaint-Lunaire, France21.9°C
- 16Plage de Pléneuf-Val-AndréPléneuf-Val-André, France21.9°C
- 17Plage de l'ÉcluseDinard, France21.8°C
- 18Grande Plage de CarnacCarnac, France21.8°C
- 19Plage de Pen GuenSaint-Cast-le-Guildo, France21.8°C
- 20Plage de Sainte-MargueriteLa Baule, France21.7°C
- 21Plage de Saint-GuirecPloumanac'h, France21.7°C
- 22Plage BonapartePlouha, France21.6°C
- 23Plage de TrestrignelPerros-Guirec, France21.6°C
- 24Plage de Coz-PorsTrégastel, France21.6°C
- 25Plage de Saint-EnogatDinard, France21.6°C
- 26Plage du SillonSaint-Malo, France21.5°C
- 27Plage de TrégastelTrégastel, France21.5°C
- 28Plage de l'Île RenoteTrégastel, France21.5°C
- 29Plage de Pen BronLa Turballe, France21.4°C
- 30Plage des CurésLocquirec, France21.4°C
- 31Grande Plage de Saint-MaloSaint-Malo, France21.4°C
- 32Plage de QuiberonQuiberon, France21.3°C
- 33Plage du PrieuréDinard, France21.3°C
- 34Plage des Sables d'OrFréhel, France21.3°C
Swimming in the Brittany — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Brittany in September?
The Atlantic Ocean off the Brittany averages about 22.0°C in September, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.
When is the best time to swim in the Brittany?
The Brittany 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 Brittany?
Across all twelve months, the sea in the Brittany averages about 17.3°C.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in the Brittany?
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.