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Sea temperature in Netherlands

Live water temperatures and swimming conditions across 39 beaches on the Netherlands coast.

Best time to swim in Netherlands

The sea in Netherlands peaks in August, when the water averages around 19°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 8°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.

The coldest month is typically February at around 5°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.

Netherlands sea temperature history

Long-term climatology for Netherlands shows an annual mean sea temperature of 11°C, ranging from 5°C in winter to 19°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 Netherlands, 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
6°C
Feb
5°C
Mar
5°C
Apr
8°C
May
11°C
Jun
15°C
Jul
18°C
Aug
19°C
Sep
17°C
Oct
14°C
Nov
11°C
Dec
8°C

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

Netherlands sea temperature: frequently asked questions

What is the warmest month to swim in Netherlands?

August is the warmest month in Netherlands, when the sea averages about 19°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.

When is the sea coldest in Netherlands?

The coldest month in Netherlands is typically February, when the water averages around 5°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.

When can you swim in Netherlands without a wetsuit?

The sea in Netherlands 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 Netherlands?

Outside peak summer the water in Netherlands drops toward 8°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 Netherlands?

The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Netherlands is about 11°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.

How do I check the current sea temperature in Netherlands?

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

Netherlands sea temperature by month

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

Monthly average sea temperature in Netherlands
MonthAverage sea
January6.0°C
February5.0°C
March5.0°C
April8.0°C
May11.0°C
June15.0°C
July18.0°C
August ⭐19.0°C
September17.0°C
October14.0°C
November11.0°C
December8.0°C

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

Warmest beaches in Netherlands right now

BeachRegionSea
Vrouwenpolder BeachZeeland17.7°C
Texel BeachNorth Holland17.6°C
Noordwijk BeachSouth Holland17.6°C
De Koog BeachWadden Islands17.6°C
Nes Beach AmelandWadden Islands17.6°C
Hollum BeachWadden Islands17.6°C
ScheveningenNorth Holland17.5°C
DomburgSouth Holland & Zeeland17.5°C
Breskens BeachZeeland17.5°C
Zandvoort BeachNorth Holland17.4°C
KijkduinSouth Holland & Zeeland17.4°C
Julianadorp BeachNorth Holland17.4°C
Dishoek BeachZeeland17.4°C
Camperduin BeachNorth Holland17.3°C
De Cocksdorp BeachWadden Islands17.3°C
Schiermonnikoog BeachWadden Islands17.3°C
Katwijk BeachSouth Holland17.1°C
Bergen aan ZeeNorth Holland17.1°C
Nieuwvliet BeachZeeland17.1°C
Ter Heijde BeachSouth Holland17.1°C
Hoek van HollandSouth Holland & Zeeland17.0°C
Vlieland BeachWadden Islands17.0°C
Oostkapelle BeachZeeland17.0°C
Rockanje BeachSouth Holland17.0°C
CadzandSouth Holland & Zeeland16.9°C
IJmuiden BeachNorth Holland16.9°C
Zoutelande BeachZeeland16.9°C
Burgh-Haamstede BeachZeeland16.9°C
Ouddorp BeachZeeland16.9°C
Petten BeachNorth Holland16.8°C
Egmond aan ZeeNorth Holland16.7°C
Formerum BeachWadden Islands16.7°C
Westkapelle BeachZeeland16.7°C
Vlissingen BeachZeeland16.7°C
RenesseSouth Holland & Zeeland16.6°C
Bloemendaal aan ZeeNorth Holland16.5°C
Wijk aan ZeeNorth Holland16.5°C
West-Terschelling BeachWadden Islands16.4°C
Callantsoog BeachNorth Holland16.3°C

Sea temperature in Netherlands — FAQ

How warm is the sea in Netherlands in September?

The sea off Netherlands averages about 17.0°C in September, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.

When is the best time to swim in Netherlands?

Netherlands is warmest in August (around 19.0°C) and coldest in February (around 5.0°C). There are typically 0 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.

What is the average yearly sea temperature in Netherlands?

Across all twelve months, the sea in Netherlands averages about 11.4°C.

Do you need a wetsuit to swim in Netherlands?

The sea in Netherlands stays below 22°C even at its warmest (~19.0°C in August), so a 3/2mm or thicker wetsuit is recommended for longer swims year-round.