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
21.0°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 do PinhaoLagos, Portugal21.7°C
- 2Praia do ZavialRaposeira, Portugal21.7°C
- 3Praia da LuzLagos, Portugal21.6°C
- 4Burgau BeachBurgau, Portugal21.6°C
- 5Praia da CordoamaVila do Bispo, Portugal21.6°C
- 6Praia da OuraAlbufeira, Portugal21.6°C
- 7Praia do AlemaoPortimao, Portugal21.5°C
- 8Praia do Porto de MosLagos, Portugal21.5°C
- 9Praia do TrafalVale do Lobo, Portugal21.5°C
- 10Praia do AncaoAlmancil, Portugal21.5°C
- 11Praia de Monte GordoMonte Gordo, Portugal21.5°C
- 12Praia da AlagoaAltura, Portugal21.5°C
- 13Praia do AmadoAljezur, Portugal21.4°C
- 14Praia da GaleAlbufeira, Portugal21.4°C
- 15Praia dos Olhos de AguaOlhos de Agua, Portugal21.4°C
- 16Praia da Falesia VilamouraVilamoura, Portugal21.4°C
- 17Praia VerdeVila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal21.4°C
- 18Praia de TaviraTavira, Portugal21.3°C
- 19Praia da AmoreiraAljezur, Portugal21.3°C
- 20Praia do CamiloLagos, Portugal21.3°C
- 21Praia dos EstudantesLagos, Portugal21.3°C
- 22Praia Dona AnaLagos, Portugal21.2°C
- 23Meia PraiaLagos, Portugal21.2°C
- 24Praia do MartinhalSagres, Portugal21.2°C
- 25Praia dos PescadoresAlbufeira, Portugal21.2°C
- 26Praia da BalaiaAlbufeira, Portugal21.2°C
- 27Praia de Vale de CenteanesCarvoeiro, Portugal21.2°C
- 28Praia do ParaisoCarvoeiro, Portugal21.2°C
- 29Praia da Manta RotaVila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal21.2°C
- 30Praia de FaroFaro, Portugal21.2°C
- 31Praia da ArrifanaAljezur, Portugal21.1°C
- 32Praia Grande FerragudoFerragudo, Portugal21.1°C
- 33Praia Grande ArmacaoArmacao de Pera, Portugal21.1°C
- 34Praia de Vale CovoCarvoeiro, Portugal21.1°C
- 35Praia do BarrilTavira, Portugal21.1°C
- 36Ilha da CulatraOlhao, Portugal21.1°C
- 37Praia da RochaPortimão, Portugal21.0°C
- 38Praia de BenagilLagoa, Portugal21.0°C
- 39Praia da MarinhaLagoa, Portugal21.0°C
- 40Praia de OdeceixeAljezur, Portugal21.0°C
- 41Praia do VauPortimao, Portugal21.0°C
- 42Praia da CoelhaAlbufeira, Portugal21.0°C
- 43Praia de Sao RafaelAlbufeira, Portugal21.0°C
- 44Praia do CasteloAlbufeira, Portugal21.0°C
- 45Praia de Santa EulaliaAlbufeira, Portugal21.0°C
- 46Praia dos CaneirosFerragudo, Portugal21.0°C
- 47Praia da Rocha BaixinhaVilamoura, Portugal21.0°C
- 48Praia de QuarteiraQuarteira, Portugal20.9°C
- 49Praia de Monte ClérigoAljezur, Portugal20.9°C
- 50Praia do CarvalhoLagoa, Portugal20.9°C
- 51Praia da SalemaSalema, Portugal20.9°C
- 52Praia do TonelSagres, Portugal20.9°C
- 53Praia do Vale FigueiraAljezur, Portugal20.9°C
- 54Praia do CarvoeiroLagoa, Portugal20.8°C
- 55Praia de AlvorAlvor, Portugal20.8°C
- 56Praia da BatataLagos, Portugal20.8°C
- 57Praia dos SalgadosAlbufeira, Portugal20.8°C
- 58Praia do Forte NovoQuarteira, Portugal20.8°C
- 59Praia do GarraoAlmancil, Portugal20.8°C
- 60Praia do Homem NuTavira, Portugal20.8°C
- 61Praia da FigueiraVila do Bispo, Portugal20.5°C
- 62Ilha do FarolOlhao, Portugal20.5°C
- 63Praia da FalésiaAlbufeira, Portugal20.4°C
- 64Praia da BordeiraAljezur, Portugal20.4°C
- 65Praia dos Tres CastelosPortimao, Portugal20.4°C
- 66Praia do BelicheSagres, Portugal20.4°C
- 67Praia da MaretaSagres, Portugal20.4°C
- 68Praia do CastelejoVila do Bispo, Portugal20.4°C
- 69Praia dos AveirosAlbufeira, Portugal20.4°C
- 70Praia do EvaristoAlbufeira, Portugal20.4°C
- 71Praia do BarrancoFerragudo, Portugal20.4°C
- 72Praia Armacao de PeraArmacao de Pera, Portugal20.4°C
- 73Praia da Marina VilamouraVilamoura, Portugal20.4°C
- 74Praia de CabanasCabanas, Portugal20.4°C
- 75Ilha da ArmonaOlhao, Portugal20.4°C
- 76Praia dos CareanosPortimao, Portugal20.3°C
- 77Praia da Marinha RicaArmacao de Pera, Portugal20.3°C
Swimming in the Algarve — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Algarve in September?
The Atlantic Ocean off the Algarve averages about 21.0°C in September, 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.