Isla Santa Maria Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 20 °C once we account for wind), yet at 18 °C the sea remains several degrees colder than the air at Isla Santa Maria. The majority of surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.

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

Map of current Chile 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 Isla Santa Maria. 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.

Isla Santa Maria sea temperatures peak in the range 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F) on around the 7th of February and are at their lowest on about the 13th of August, in the range 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F). Isla Santa Maria sea temperatures are always warm reach their maximum in the first part of February. You'll need a 2mm neoprene top or a shorty at dawn/dusk or if it's windy. The lowest seasonal sea temperatures at Isla Santa Maria in the third week of 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 Isla Santa Maria 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 Isla Santa Maria. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.