Chicama Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with very warm air temperatures, feeling like 26 °C / 79 °F once we account for any wind. Sea temperatures (20 °C / 69 °F) warm too. Staying warm in the water won't be a problem in board-shorts, but wear at least a rash-vest to keep the UV off.

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

Map of current Peru 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 Chicama. 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.

Chicama sea temperatures peak in the range 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F) on around the 19th of February and are at their lowest on about the 30th of September, in the range 16 to 21°C (61 to 70°F). Chicama sea temperatures are always warm reach their highest in the third week of February. You'll need a 2mm neoprene top or a shorty at dawn/dusk or if it's windy. The lowest seasonal sea temperatures at Chicama at the tail 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 Chicama 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 Chicama. 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.