Hell Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feels like 22 °C) at Hell, yet the sea remains several degrees colder than the air. Most surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.

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

Map of current South Africa 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 Hell. 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.

Hell sea temperatures peak in the range 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) on around the 4th of February and are at their minimum on about the 15th of July, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). The maximum Hell sea temperatures in early February require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The minimum seasonal sea temperatures at Hell in mid July lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots.

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