Jacobs Bay Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (16 °C) at Jacobs Bay is quite cool. If the sun shines as we have forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a good spring wetsuit. Effective windchill factor of (19 °C) will make the air and water feel about the same temperature.

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 Jacobs Bay. 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.

Jacobs Bay water temperatures peak in the range 19 to 21°C (66 to 70°F) on around the 25th of January and are at their lowest on about the 16th of July, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). The warmest Jacobs Bay water temperatures in late January require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The lowest seasonal water temperatures at Jacobs Bay in the middle of 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 Jacobs Bay 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 Jacobs Bay. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.