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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 Columbia26.7°C
Grand Bend BeachOntario19.6°C
Sandbanks BeachOntario19.5°C
Port Stanley BeachOntario19.4°C
Hanlan's PointOntario19.4°C
Bluffer's BeachOntario19.3°C
Cobourg BeachOntario19.3°C
Woodbine BeachOntario19.2°C
Wasaga BeachOntario19.2°C
Sunnyside BeachOntario18.9°C
Outlet BeachOntario18.6°C
Ward's Island BeachOntario18.6°C
Long Point BeachOntario18.5°C
Cherry BeachOntario18.5°C
Presqu'ile BeachOntario18.5°C
Sauble BeachOntario18.4°C
Basin Head BeachPrince Edward Island17.6°C
Thunder CovePrince Edward Island17.5°C
Panmure IslandPrince Edward Island17.4°C
Stanhope BeachPrince Edward Island17.3°C
Cavendish BeachPrince Edward Island17.3°C
Singing SandsPrince Edward Island17.1°C
Argyle ShorePrince Edward Island17.0°C
Brackley BeachPrince Edward Island17.0°C
Cherry Hill BeachNova Scotia16.7°C
Aboiteau BeachNew Brunswick16.6°C
Murray BeachNew Brunswick16.6°C
Crescent Beach NSNova Scotia16.6°C
Caribou BeachNova Scotia16.6°C
Pomquet BeachNova Scotia16.6°C
Point Michaud BeachNova Scotia16.6°C
Melmerby BeachNova Scotia16.5°C
Black Brook CoveNova Scotia16.5°C
Hirtles BeachNova Scotia16.5°C
Herring Cove BeachNew Brunswick16.5°C
Rissers BeachNova Scotia16.4°C
Caribou MunroesNova Scotia16.4°C
Greenwich BeachPrince Edward Island16.3°C
White Point BeachNova Scotia16.3°C
Carters BeachNova Scotia16.3°C
Rainbow Haven BeachNova Scotia16.3°C
Kelly's BeachNew Brunswick16.2°C
New River BeachNew Brunswick16.2°C
New River BeachNew Brunswick16.2°C
Summerville BeachNova Scotia16.2°C
Parlee BeachNew Brunswick16.1°C
Mavillette BeachNova Scotia16.0°C
Lawrencetown BeachNova Scotia15.9°C
Ingonish BeachNova Scotia15.9°C
Ingonish BeachNova Scotia15.9°C
Mavillette BeachNova Scotia15.8°C
Inverness BeachNova Scotia15.8°C
Martinique BeachNova Scotia15.8°C
Melmerby BeachNova Scotia15.8°C
Kelly's BeachNew Brunswick15.8°C
St Martins BeachNew Brunswick15.8°C
Hirtles BeachNova Scotia15.7°C
Carters BeachNova Scotia15.7°C
Port Elgin BeachOntario Huron15.7°C
Cabots Landing BeachNova Scotia15.7°C
Plage de Cap ChatQuebec15.7°C
Crystal CrescentNova Scotia15.6°C
Botany Bay RenfrewVancouver Island15.6°C
Saratoga BeachVancouver Island15.6°C
Martinique BeachNova Scotia15.6°C
Salmon Cove SandsNewfoundland15.6°C
Risser's BeachNova Scotia15.5°C
Murray Beach NBNew Brunswick15.5°C
Port Dover BeachOntario Erie15.5°C
Cap-EnrageNew Brunswick15.5°C
Plage de Cap-des-RosiersQuebec15.5°C
Kye BayVancouver Island15.4°C
Plage Havre-aux-BasquesQuebec15.4°C
Plage de la Grande EchouerieQuebec15.4°C
Florencia BayVancouver Island15.3°C
South BeachVancouver Island15.3°C
Mystic BeachVancouver Island15.3°C
Ipperwash BeachOntario Huron15.3°C
Bayfield BeachOntario Huron15.3°C
Old Woman BayOntario Superior15.3°C
Plage de Sandy HookQuebec15.3°C
Miracle BeachVancouver Island15.2°C
Providence BayOntario Huron15.2°C
Rock Point BeachOntario Erie15.2°C
Turkey PointOntario Erie15.2°C
Wood Islands BeachPEI15.2°C
Chesterman's NewfoundlandNewfoundland15.2°C
Cavendish NewfoundlandNewfoundland15.2°C
Plage Saint-UlricQuebec15.2°C
Plage Anse-a-BeaufilsQuebec15.2°C
Plage de l'OuestQuebec15.2°C
Singing SandsOntario Huron15.1°C
Pancake BayOntario Superior15.1°C
Middle Cove BeachNewfoundland15.1°C
Rebecca SpitVancouver Island15.0°C
Tobermory BeachOntario Huron15.0°C
Plage de l'AnseQuebec15.0°C
China BeachVancouver Island14.9°C
Bruce PeninsulaOntario Huron14.9°C
Goderich BeachOntario Huron14.9°C
Panmure Island BeachPEI14.9°C
Chelton BeachPEI14.9°C
Plage de l'AboiteauQuebec14.9°C
Pinery BeachOntario Huron14.8°C
Kincardine BeachOntario Huron14.8°C
Point Pelee BeachOntario Erie14.8°C
Agawa BayOntario Superior14.8°C
Argyle ShorePEI14.8°C
Sandbanks Provincial ParkNewfoundland14.8°C
Northern Bay SandsNewfoundland14.8°C
Plage Jacques-CartierQuebec14.8°C
Plage Val-ComeauQuebec14.8°C
English BayBritish Columbia14.7°C
Cates ParkBritish Columbia14.7°C
Sombrio BeachBritish Columbia14.7°C
Long BeachVancouver Island14.7°C
Southampton BeachOntario Huron14.7°C
Twin Shores BeachPEI14.7°C
Cadboro BayBritish Columbia14.6°C
Gonzales BeachBritish Columbia14.6°C
Tribune BayVancouver Island14.6°C
Locarno BeachBritish Columbia14.5°C
Long BeachBritish Columbia14.5°C
Wickaninnish BeachBritish Columbia14.5°C
Katherine CoveOntario Superior14.5°C
Sandy Cove NewfoundlandNewfoundland14.5°C
Plage de la Dune du SudQuebec14.5°C
Parksville BeachBritish Columbia14.4°C
Rathtrevor BeachBritish Columbia14.4°C
Big Beach UclueletVancouver Island14.4°C
French BeachVancouver Island14.4°C
Sandy Cove HornbyVancouver Island14.4°C
Northport BeachPEI14.4°C
Souris BeachPEI14.4°C
Mystic BeachBritish Columbia14.3°C
Centennial BeachBritish Columbia14.3°C
Parlee Beach QCQuebec14.3°C
Chesterman BeachBritish Columbia14.1°C
Ambleside BeachBritish Columbia14.0°C
China BeachBritish Columbia14.0°C
Willows BeachBritish Columbia13.9°C
Kitsilano BeachBritish Columbia13.8°C
Third BeachBritish Columbia13.7°C
Second BeachBritish Columbia13.6°C
Cox BayBritish Columbia13.6°C
Wreck BeachBritish Columbia13.5°C
White Rock BeachBritish Columbia13.4°C
Jericho BeachBritish Columbia13.3°C
Spanish BanksBritish Columbia13.3°C
Whytecliff ParkBritish Columbia13.3°C
Qualicum BeachBritish Columbia13.3°C
Crescent BeachBritish Columbia13.3°C

Sea temperature in Canada — FAQ

How warm is the sea in Canada in September?

The sea off Canada averages about 15.0°C in September, 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.