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
22.0°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 la Grande PlageBiarritz, France22.7°C
- 2Plage CentraleHossegor, France22.7°C
- 3Plage de la Grande PlageSaint-Jean-de-Luz, France22.7°C
- 4Grande Plage de Saint-Jean-de-LuzSaint-Jean-de-Luz, France22.7°C
- 5Plage des AbatillesArcachon, France22.7°C
- 6Plage du PylaPyla-sur-Mer, France22.6°C
- 7Plage de CenitzGuéthary, France22.6°C
- 8Plage NaturelleVieux-Boucau, France22.6°C
- 9Plage des OcéanidesContis, France22.6°C
- 10Plage de BiasBias, France22.6°C
- 11Plage de la CornicheLa Teste-de-Buch, France22.6°C
- 12Plage du Truc VertLège-Cap-Ferret, France22.6°C
- 13Plage du GressierLe Porge, France22.5°C
- 14Plage de GuétharyGuéthary, France22.4°C
- 15Plage de Bidart CentreBidart, France22.4°C
- 16Plage de la PisteCapbreton, France22.4°C
- 17Plage PereireArcachon, France22.4°C
- 18Plage Sud LacanauLacanau-Océan, France22.4°C
- 19Plage de la Côte des BasquesBiarritz, France22.3°C
- 20Plage des CavaliersAnglet, France22.3°C
- 21Plage MarbellaBiarritz, France22.3°C
- 22Plage de MiramarBiarritz, France22.3°C
- 23Plage de MontalivetVendays-Montalivet, France22.3°C
- 24Plage d'ErretegiaBidart, France22.2°C
- 25Plage NordHossegor, France22.2°C
- 26Plage de MolietsMoliets-et-Maa, France22.2°C
- 27Plage de LéonLéon, France22.2°C
- 28Plage de Petit NiceLa Teste-de-Buch, France22.2°C
- 29Plage de l'AmélieSoulac-sur-Mer, France22.2°C
- 30Plage CentraleLacanau, France22.1°C
- 31Plage de LafiteniaSaint-Jean-de-Luz, France22.1°C
- 32Plage Centrale de MessangesMessanges, France22.1°C
- 33Plage Nord MimizanMimizan-Plage, France22.1°C
- 34Plage de la PointeCap Ferret, France22.0°C
- 35Plage de la Dune du PilatLa Teste-de-Buch, France22.0°C
- 36Plage des Sables d'OrAnglet, France22.0°C
- 37Plage d'ErromardieSaint-Jean-de-Luz, France22.0°C
- 38Plage Sud BiscarrosseBiscarrosse-Plage, France22.0°C
- 39Plage de CarcansCarcans-Plage, France22.0°C
- 40Plage du SilverAnglet, France21.9°C
- 41Plage des OcéanidesCapbreton, France21.9°C
- 42Plage du MoulleauArcachon, France21.9°C
- 43Plage Nord SoulacSoulac-sur-Mer, France21.9°C
- 44Plage des CasernesSeignosse, France21.8°C
- 45Plage des BourdainesSeignosse, France21.8°C
- 46Plage de LacanauLacanau-Océan, France21.8°C
- 47Plage de la BarreAnglet, France21.8°C
- 48Plage MarinellaAnglet, France21.8°C
- 49Plage de Port-VieuxBiarritz, France21.8°C
- 50Plage d'IlbarritzBidart, France21.8°C
- 51Plage des Chênes-LiègesMessanges, France21.8°C
- 52Plage de HendayeHendaye, France21.7°C
- 53Plage Sud Vieux-BoucauVieux-Boucau, France21.7°C
- 54Plage de l'HorizonLège-Cap-Ferret, France21.7°C
- 55Plage Sud SoulacSoulac-sur-Mer, France21.7°C
- 56Plage de la MadragueAnglet, France21.6°C
- 57Plage de CapbretonCapbreton, France21.6°C
- 58Grande Plage de BiarritzBiarritz, France21.6°C
- 59Plage de Chambre d'AmourAnglet, France21.6°C
- 60Plage des Culs NusSeignosse, France21.6°C
- 61Plage de Vieux Saint-GironsSaint-Girons-Plage, France21.6°C
- 62Plage ThiersArcachon, France21.6°C
- 63Plage du Cap FerretLège-Cap-Ferret, France21.6°C
- 64Plage de la MiladyBiarritz, France21.5°C
- 65Plage SudCapbreton, France21.5°C
- 66Plage des EstagnotsSeignosse, France21.5°C
- 67Plage du Grand CrohotLège-Cap-Ferret, France21.5°C
- 68Plage du PréventCapbreton, France21.4°C
- 69Plage du PenonSeignosse, France21.4°C
- 70Plage de l'Horizon NordLacanau-Océan, France21.4°C
- 71Plage de MimizanMimizan-Plage, France21.3°C
- 72Plage Nord BiscarrosseBiscarrosse-Plage, France21.3°C
Swimming in the Aquitaine — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Aquitaine in September?
The Atlantic Ocean off the Aquitaine 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 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.