El Pelado Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Very warm in and out of the water temperature at El Pelado today, but forecast to be overcast. With sea temperatures of 26 °C / 80 °F and a wind chill of 24 °C / 75 °F, most surfers will choose a shorty, boardshorts or a summer suit.

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

Map of current Ecuador 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 El Pelado. 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.

El Pelado sea water temperatures peak in the range 23 to 29°C (73 to 84°F) on around the 3rd of March and are at their minimum on about the 3rd of September, in the range 19 to 24°C (66 to 75°F). Year round warm sea water temperatures at El Pelado climb to their highest at the start of March. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. The minimum El Pelado sea water temperatures at the start of September require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at El Pelado 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 El Pelado. 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.