Portugal's Algarve coast is the warmest Atlantic shoreline in Europe — water reaches 22°C in August and stays above 18°C into late October. The eastern Sotavento beaches (Faro, Tavira) are sheltered and family-friendly; western Barlavento (Lagos, Sagres) gets the swell that draws surfers year-round.
Algarve
Dramatic ochre cliffs and warm Atlantic swims in southern Portugal.
Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Avg sea temp now
18.0°C
Best months
June – October
Best time to swim in Algarve
The sea in Algarve peaks in August, when the water averages around 21°C.
The main swimming season runs from July – September, when surface temperatures stay comfortable for extended sessions.
On average, 3 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
Shoulder months like June and October are noticeably cooler but often quieter, with fewer crowds and steadier weather.
Outside peak season the water drops toward 14°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.
The coldest month is typically February at around 14°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.
Algarve sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Algarve shows an annual mean sea temperature of 18°C, ranging from 14°C in winter to 21°C at the summer peak.
The seasonal swing is roughly 7°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 Algarve, 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
15°C
Feb
14°C
Mar
15°C
Apr
16°C
May
17°C
Jun
19°C
Jul
20°C
Aug
21°C
Sep
21°C
Oct
19°C
Nov
18°C
Dec
16°C
Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.
Algarve sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Algarve?
August is the warmest month in Algarve, when the sea averages about 21°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Algarve?
The coldest month in Algarve is typically February, when the water averages around 14°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Algarve without a wetsuit?
The main swimming season in Algarve runs from July – September — about 3 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 Algarve?
Outside peak summer the water in Algarve drops toward 14°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 Algarve?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Algarve is about 18°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Algarve?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Algarve, 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 Algarve
Ranked by current live sea temperature.
- 1Praia de Monte ClérigoAljezur, Portugal18.7°C
- 2Praia da BalaiaAlbufeira, Portugal18.7°C
- 3Praia da CoelhaAlbufeira, Portugal18.7°C
- 4Praia do BarrancoFerragudo, Portugal18.7°C
- 5Praia da OuraAlbufeira, Portugal18.6°C
- 6Praia dos AveirosAlbufeira, Portugal18.6°C
- 7Praia do EvaristoAlbufeira, Portugal18.6°C
- 8Praia da Marina VilamouraVilamoura, Portugal18.6°C
- 9Praia dos PescadoresAlbufeira, Portugal18.5°C
- 10Praia dos CaneirosFerragudo, Portugal18.5°C
- 11Praia do AncaoAlmancil, Portugal18.5°C
- 12Ilha da CulatraOlhao, Portugal18.5°C
- 13Praia de FaroFaro, Portugal18.5°C
- 14Praia da FalésiaAlbufeira, Portugal18.4°C
- 15Praia da LuzLagos, Portugal18.4°C
- 16Praia da MaretaSagres, Portugal18.4°C
- 17Praia de AlvorAlvor, Portugal18.3°C
- 18Praia da AmoreiraAljezur, Portugal18.3°C
- 19Praia do Porto de MosLagos, Portugal18.3°C
- 20Praia do ZavialRaposeira, Portugal18.3°C
- 21Praia dos SalgadosAlbufeira, Portugal18.3°C
- 22Praia do CasteloAlbufeira, Portugal18.3°C
- 23Praia do ParaisoCarvoeiro, Portugal18.3°C
- 24Ilha da ArmonaOlhao, Portugal18.3°C
- 25Praia do CarvoeiroLagoa, Portugal18.2°C
- 26Praia do MartinhalSagres, Portugal18.2°C
- 27Praia da Rocha BaixinhaVilamoura, Portugal18.2°C
- 28Praia do CamiloLagos, Portugal18.1°C
- 29Praia da Falesia VilamouraVilamoura, Portugal18.1°C
- 30Praia VerdeVila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal18.1°C
- 31Praia Dona AnaLagos, Portugal18.0°C
- 32Praia de QuarteiraQuarteira, Portugal18.0°C
- 33Praia do VauPortimao, Portugal18.0°C
- 34Praia do PinhaoLagos, Portugal18.0°C
- 35Praia de Sao RafaelAlbufeira, Portugal18.0°C
- 36Praia da GaleAlbufeira, Portugal18.0°C
- 37Praia do BarrilTavira, Portugal18.0°C
- 38Praia da RochaPortimão, Portugal17.9°C
- 39Meia PraiaLagos, Portugal17.9°C
- 40Praia dos Tres CastelosPortimao, Portugal17.9°C
- 41Praia do Vale FigueiraAljezur, Portugal17.9°C
- 42Praia Armacao de PeraArmacao de Pera, Portugal17.9°C
- 43Praia de Vale CovoCarvoeiro, Portugal17.9°C
- 44Praia da Manta RotaVila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal17.9°C
- 45Ilha do FarolOlhao, Portugal17.9°C
- 46Praia da MarinhaLagoa, Portugal17.8°C
- 47Praia dos EstudantesLagos, Portugal17.8°C
- 48Praia do TonelSagres, Portugal17.8°C
- 49Praia da Marinha RicaArmacao de Pera, Portugal17.8°C
- 50Praia do Homem NuTavira, Portugal17.8°C
- 51Praia da BatataLagos, Portugal17.7°C
- 52Praia da SalemaSalema, Portugal17.7°C
- 53Praia de OdeceixeAljezur, Portugal17.6°C
- 54Praia do AlemaoPortimao, Portugal17.6°C
- 55Praia da ArrifanaAljezur, Portugal17.6°C
- 56Praia de Santa EulaliaAlbufeira, Portugal17.6°C
- 57Praia Grande FerragudoFerragudo, Portugal17.6°C
- 58Praia dos Olhos de AguaOlhos de Agua, Portugal17.6°C
- 59Praia do TrafalVale do Lobo, Portugal17.6°C
- 60Praia de TaviraTavira, Portugal17.5°C
- 61Praia da BordeiraAljezur, Portugal17.5°C
- 62Praia dos CareanosPortimao, Portugal17.5°C
- 63Praia da FigueiraVila do Bispo, Portugal17.5°C
- 64Praia do BelicheSagres, Portugal17.5°C
- 65Praia da CordoamaVila do Bispo, Portugal17.5°C
- 66Praia Grande ArmacaoArmacao de Pera, Portugal17.5°C
- 67Praia da AlagoaAltura, Portugal17.5°C
- 68Praia de BenagilLagoa, Portugal17.4°C
- 69Burgau BeachBurgau, Portugal17.4°C
- 70Praia de Vale de CenteanesCarvoeiro, Portugal17.4°C
- 71Praia do Forte NovoQuarteira, Portugal17.4°C
- 72Praia do GarraoAlmancil, Portugal17.4°C
- 73Praia de CabanasCabanas, Portugal17.4°C
- 74Praia do AmadoAljezur, Portugal17.3°C
- 75Praia do CarvalhoLagoa, Portugal17.3°C
- 76Praia do CastelejoVila do Bispo, Portugal17.3°C
- 77Praia de Monte GordoMonte Gordo, Portugal17.3°C
Swimming in the Algarve — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Algarve in November?
The Atlantic Ocean off the Algarve averages about 18.0°C in November, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.
When is the best time to swim in the Algarve?
The Algarve is warmest in August (around 21.0°C) and coldest in February (around 14.0°C). There are typically 0 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.
What is the average yearly sea temperature in the Algarve?
Across all twelve months, the sea in the Algarve averages about 17.6°C.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in the Algarve?
The sea in the Algarve stays below 22°C even at its warmest (~21.0°C in August), so a 3/2mm or thicker wetsuit is recommended for longer swims year-round.