What is the Water Temperature in San Diego?

Check here to know the water temperature in San Diego before paddling out for a surf! This post will help you determine the best wetsuit for surfing based on the time of year and how long you think you can be comfortable in the water.

So what is the water temperature in San Diego? The ocean water temperature in San Diego will vary by the time of year. Generally, the average water temp in San Diego will lie between 58° and 65° Fahrenheit.

In this post, you can quickly check the San Diego water temperature today and the average ocean temperature by month.

What is the Water Temperature in San Diego Today?

The current water temperature in San Diego today is:

Where can I check the current ocean temperature in San Diego?

There are a number of different resources for checking current San Diego ocean temperature. My personal favorite is Surfline. Their app will allow you to check surf spot temperatures for free. I pay about $60 a year for their premium subscription that includes long term surf forecasts for San Diego.

Other good sources include Magic Seaweed and Surf-Forecast. You can even call the San Diego Lifeguard Services for recorded beach weather, surf, and dive conditions at 619-221-8824.

Water Temperature in San Diego by Month

The water temperature in San Diego in February is typically the coolest. On the flip side, August is normally the warmest month. The below table will help you determine the San Diego water temperature by month:

Note that we pull the average water temperature in San Diego by month from Sea Temperature. Most importantly, the listed highs and lows are generally an average. For example, the ocean temperature in February can dip in to the mid 50s (Fahrenheit). Conversely, the ocean temperature in August or other summer months can get well into the 70s. These warmer water temperatures are actually typical during El Nino patterns.

For the current air temperature in San Diego, I suggest checking out Weather U.S.

Is the water temperature the same at all surf spots in San Diego?

Generally, the water temperature will remain somewhat consistent throughout San Diego county.  After all, we aren’t talking about that large of a geographic region. The San Diego coastline stretches 70 miles from the border of Mexico to the Orange and Riverside counties. This area includes both South County and North County San Diego surf spots.

The variance between surf spots in water temperature in San Diego shouldn’t be much more than 1°F.

Should I wear a wetsuit while surfing in San Diego?

Depending on the time of year, a wetsuit may or may not be recommended for surfing in San Diego. As a good rule of thumb, you will be most comfortable wearing a wetsuit through Autumn, Winter, and Spring surfing season. Summer is the one time of year where surfing in San Diego is comfortable in board shorts. The ocean can reach a balmy 70°F. However, beware when an upwelling occurs as the temperature will suddenly drop for a few days!

At all other times of year, I recommend a wetsuit for surfing in San Diego. For this reason, it’s important to consider wetsuit thickness. I personally wear a 4/3 wetsuit during winter months to stay warm. In the Fall and Spring, the 3/2 wetsuit is my rubber of choice. Finally, I strip down to a 2/2 wetsuit or no wetsuit at all during Summer.

Check out my full guide on the best wetsuit for surfing. If you think you need more than just a wetsuit, check our cold water guide.

Does upwelling impact the water temperature?

In this section, I’ll share how upwelling can impact water temperature. First, let’s define upwelling. Upwelling is a process in which currents bring deep, cold water to the surface of the ocean. Upwelling is a result of winds and the rotation of the earth.

In San Diego, upwelling normally only happens a few times a year. Most commonly, upwelling will occur during the months of April through June. This is also a time of year for fishing in San Diego.

As a result, significant changes in ocean water temperature can change in the course of a single day. One day, you could be surfing in San Diego in board shorts. The next, you will be putting on your full body 3/2 wetsuit. This is why checking the San Diego water temperature before you paddle out is a good idea.

In summary, I hope this article will give you a good idea what to expect next time you hop in the ocean!

Related San Diego Ocean Knowledge:

• Surfing at Dawn Patrol

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