Costa Nova Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 20 °C once we account for wind), yet at 17 °C the sea remains several degrees colder than the air at Costa Nova. The majority of surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.

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

Map of current Portugal 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 Costa Nova. 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.

Costa Nova sea temperatures peak in the range 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F) on around the 19th of August and are at their coldest on about the 1st of March, in the range 13 to 15°C (55 to 59°F). The maximum Costa Nova sea temperatures in the third week of August require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The coldest sea temperatures at Costa Nova at the beginning of March are ideally suited to a 4/3mm wetsuit + 3mm boots, although a 5/3mm wetsuit may be preferable for longer sessions and cold windy days.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Costa Nova 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 Costa Nova. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.