Horse Trails Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feels like 20 °C) at Horse Trails, 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 Horse Trails. 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.

Horse Trails sea water temperatures peak in the range 19 to 22°C (66 to 72°F) on around the 3rd of February and are at their minimum on about the 9th of August, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). Horse Trails sea water temperatures are highest at the start of February. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The minimum seasonal sea water temperatures at Horse Trails in early to mid August 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 Horse Trails 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 Horse Trails. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.