Cape Arid Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (19 °C) at Cape Arid is relatively warm. If the sun does come out as forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a summer wetsuit. Effective air temperature of 15 °C.

Map of current Australia Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current Australia Sea Water Temperature Anomalies (compared with long term averages at this time of year)

(click thumbnails to expand)

Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Cape Arid. 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.

Cape Arid sea temperatures peak in the range 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F) on around the 27th of February and are at their lowest on about the 7th of September, in the range 15 to 17°C (59 to 63°F). The maximum Cape Arid sea temperatures in the last days of February require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The lowest seasonal sea temperatures at Cape Arid in the first part of September 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 Cape Arid 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 Cape Arid. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.