Gamboa Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 24 °C once we account for wind), and similar sea temperatures (21 °C). Wear boardshorts or a shorty, or bette still a thin summer wetsuit to keep the UV off.

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

Map of current Brazil 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 Gamboa. 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.

Gamboa sea water temperatures peak in the range 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F) on around the 4th of March and are at their minimum on about the 12th of August, in the range 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F). Year round warm sea water temperatures at Gamboa climb to their maximum in early March. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. The minimum Gamboa sea water temperatures in the second week of August require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit.

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