Where is the sea warmest in North America in December?

Playa Flamingo in Costa Rica has the warmest sea in North America in December, averaging about 28.0 °C. Playa Hermosa CR (28.0 °C) and Playa Samara follow close behind.

How many beaches in North America are warm enough to swim in December?

25 of the top 25 ranked beaches in North America average 22 °C or more in December, which most swimmers find comfortable without a wetsuit.

How are these December sea temperatures calculated?

Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical December rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

Seasonal ranking

Warmest sea temperature in North America in December

Where the sea is warmest across North America during December, ranked by long-term monthly average water temperature. Playa Flamingo (Guanacaste, Costa Rica) tops the list at around 28°C. Open any spot for today's live water temperature and a 7-day swim forecast.

1
Playa Flamingo
Guanacaste · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
2
Playa Hermosa CR
Guanacaste · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
3
Playa Samara
Guanacaste · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
4
Playa Nosara
Guanacaste · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
5
Playa Avellanas
Guanacaste · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
6
Santa Teresa Beach
Puntarenas · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
7
Mal Pais Beach
Puntarenas · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
8
Montezuma Beach
Puntarenas · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
9
Manuel Antonio Beach
Puntarenas · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
10
Playa Dominical
Puntarenas · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
11
Playa Uvita
Puntarenas · Costa Rica · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
12
Playa Bonita Panama
Panama · Panama · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
13
Playa Blanca Panama
Cocle · Panama · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
14
San Juan del Sur Beach
Rivas · Nicaragua · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
15
Playa Popoyo
Rivas · Nicaragua · Pacific Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
28°C
December average
16
Boston Bay
Portland · Jamaica · Caribbean Sea
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
17
James Bond Beach
Saint Mary · Jamaica · Caribbean Sea
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
18
Bavaro Beach
La Altagracia · Dominican Republic · Atlantic Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
19
Playa Dorada
Puerto Plata · Dominican Republic · Atlantic Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
20
Cabarete Beach
Puerto Plata · Dominican Republic · Atlantic Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
21
Playa Bayahibe
La Romana · Dominican Republic · Caribbean Sea
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
22
Flamenco Beach
Culebra · Puerto Rico · Caribbean Sea
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
23
Playa Sucia
Cabo Rojo · Puerto Rico · Caribbean Sea
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
24
Condado Beach
San Juan · Puerto Rico · Atlantic Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average
25
Playa Crash Boat
Aguadilla · Puerto Rico · Atlantic Ocean
Warm — comfortable swimming
27°C
December average

Warmest sea in December elsewhere

Europe South America Asia Africa Oceania United States United Kingdom Australia Italy Spain France Greece Mexico Portugal New Zealand Croatia Canada Ireland Thailand Indonesia Philippines Brazil Sweden Poland Denmark Norway Turkey Netherlands Germany Bulgaria Japan Cyprus Egypt India South Africa Dominican Republic Romania Costa Rica Malta Puerto Rico Bahamas Belgium Barbados South Korea Vietnam Jamaica Sri Lanka United Arab Emirates Oman US Virgin Islands Antigua and Barbuda Panama Finland Malaysia Curacao Argentina Chile Colombia Israel Tanzania Morocco Tunisia Turks and Caicos Fiji Aruba Albania Uruguay Peru Maldives Mauritius Belize Nicaragua Saint Lucia Cuba Mozambique French Polynesia Bonaire Honduras French Riviera Algarve Amalfi Coast Costa Brava Greek Islands Dalmatian Coast Florida Keys Great Barrier Reef Coast California Florida Hawaii New Jersey North Carolina Massachusetts South Carolina Texas New York Puerto Rico Maine Oregon Michigan Georgia Washington

North America in December — frequently asked questions

Where is the sea warmest in North America in December?: Playa Flamingo in Costa Rica has the warmest sea in North America in December, averaging about 28.0 °C. Playa Hermosa CR (28.0 °C) and Playa Samara follow close behind.
How many beaches in North America are warm enough to swim in December?: 25 of the top 25 ranked beaches in North America average 22 °C or more in December, which most swimmers find comfortable without a wetsuit.
How are these December sea temperatures calculated?: Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical December rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

Explore every sea temperature page

Jump straight to a country, coastal region, city, seasonal ranking or comparison.

Swimming guides

Popular beach comparisons

Cala Estreta vs Platja d'Aro Cala Estreta vs Cala Sa Tuna Cala Pola vs Platja de Lloret Platja de Sant Pol vs Platja Gran Cala Montjoi vs Platja de Pals Cala Pola vs Platja de Sant Pol Cala Estreta vs Platja de Pals Aiguablava vs Cala Estreta Cambrils Playa vs Platja de la Pineda Platja de la Pineda vs Platja Llarga Platja del Miracle vs Salou Levante Playa del Carabassí vs Playa del Postiguet Playa de San Juan vs Playa del Carabassí Playa de la Fossa vs Playa de Levante Playa de la Fossa vs Playa de Poniente Cala Finestrat vs Playa del Albir Cala el Portet vs Playa de la Fossa Cala del Moraig vs Playa del Arenal Compare any two beaches →

Freshwater swimming

All lake water temperatures (525)Live lake map Compare lakes Rivers & swimming holes Albania lakes Argentina lakes armenia lakes Australia lakes austria lakes Belgium lakes Australia rivers austria rivers Canada rivers Croatia rivers czechia rivers Finland rivers Live sea temperature map Swimming guides

Keep exploring

Live sea temperature mapEvery coast, updated hourly Warmest beaches todayLive ranking right now Compare two beachesSide-by-side swim conditions Lake water temperaturesFreshwater swimming spots Rivers & swimming holesWild swimming conditions All destinationsBrowse by country & region

Warmest sea this month

europe north america asia oceania

Warmest sea temperature in North America in December

Warmest sea in December elsewhere

North America in December — frequently asked questions

Explore every sea temperature page

Sea temperature by country

Coastal region hubs

Water temperature today by city

Warmest sea in September

Warmest sea month by month (Europe)

Coldest sea this month

Swimming guides

Popular beach comparisons

Freshwater swimming

Keep exploring

Warmest sea this month