Cou Nou Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (12 °C / 54 °F) at Cou Nou is rather cold today and the windchill (3 °C / 37 °F) will make the air temperature seem even colder, not helped by a lack of sunshine. You'll need a thick hooded winter wetsuit to keep your head warm and ideally neoprene gloves and neoprene boots too.

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

Map of current France 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 Cou Nou. 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.

Cou Nou sea water temperatures peak in the range 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F) on around the 9th of August and are at their coldest on about the 29th of February, at 12°C. Cou Nou sea water temperatures are maximum in early to mid August. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. At its coldest in late February, low sea water temperatures at Cou Nou are suited to a 5/4mm or 5/3mm good quality wetsuit with neoprene gloves and 3mm boots. You will need a hood if it's windy or the air is cold.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Cou Nou 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 Cou Nou. 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.