Empuriabrava or Playa Salvaje Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 21 °C once we account for wind), and similar sea temperatures (20 °C). Wear boardshorts or a shorty, or bette still a thin summer wetsuit to keep the UV off.

Map of current Spain (Europe) Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current Spain (Europe) 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 Empuriabrava or Playa Salvaje. 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.

Empuriabrava or Playa Salvaje sea water temperatures peak in the range 22 to 28°C (72 to 82°F) on around the 13th of August and are at their lowest on about the 29th of February, in the range 12 to 13°C (54 to 55°F). Empuriabrava or Playa Salvaje sea water temperatures are always warm reach their warmest in the third week of August. You'll need a 2mm neoprene top or a shorty at dawn/dusk or if it's windy. The lowest sea water temperatures at Empuriabrava or Playa Salvaje in late February 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 Empuriabrava or Playa Salvaje 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 Empuriabrava or Playa Salvaje. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.