Factory Point Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

A big contrast between hot air temperatures and cool water temperature at Factory Point. Most surfers will need a thin summer wetsuit, or a shorty if you are used to cool water.

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

Map of current Namibia 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 Factory Point. 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.

Factory Point sea temperatures peak in the range 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F) on around the 20th of February and are at their minimum on about the 1st of August, in the range 14 to 15°C (57 to 59°F). The maximum Factory Point sea temperatures in mid to late February require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The minimum sea temperatures at Factory Point at the beginning of August 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 Factory Point 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 Factory Point. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.