Cactus Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide
(South Australia – Nullarbor)
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Today's Statistics for 14 Feb (1981–2005)
– mean: 20.1 °C,
range: 19.2 °C
to 21.2 °C
(mean 68 °F,
range: 67 °F
to 70 °F)
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Very warm air temperatures and warm water(20 °C / 68 °F) too at Cactus, warm enough for wearing board shorts and a rash vest in the surf. Cloudy, but feeling very pleasant in and out of the water.
(click thumbnails to expand) Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Cactus. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.
All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world. Cactus sea temperatures peak in the range 19 to 21°C (66 to 70°F) on around the 14th of February and are at their coldest on about the 29th of August, in the range 15 to 16°C (59 to 61°F). Cactus sea temperatures are highest in mid February. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The coldest seasonal sea temperatures at Cactus in late August lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Cactus can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Cactus. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.
Latest surface water temperature for the entire globe. Click the image to view a larger version. |
