Le Petit Minou Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (14 °C) at Le Petit Minou is quite cool. If the sun does come out as forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a good sealed spring wetsuit. Some surfers would prefer to wear gloves and boots too. Effective windchill factor of (12 °C) will make the air and water feel about the same temperature.

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

Map of current France 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 Le Petit Minou. 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.

Le Petit Minou water temperatures peak in the range 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F) on around the 9th of August and are at their coldest on about the 29th of February, in the range 10 to 11°C (50 to 52°F). The warmest Le Petit Minou water temperatures in early to mid August require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. At its coldest in late February, low water temperatures at Le Petit Minou are suited to a 5/4mm or 5/3mm good quality wetsuit with neoprene gloves and 3mm boots. You will need a hood if it's windy or the air is cold.

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