Manitoulin Island Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Water temperature (1 °C / 35 °F) at Manitoulin Island is close to freezing. Despite the weak sunshine, the air will feel like -7 °C / 19 °F. Even if you wear a thick winter wetsuit, a neoprene hood, neoprene gloves and boots, it will still be difficult to stay in the sea for very long today.

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

Map of current Canada 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 Manitoulin Island. 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.

Manitoulin Island water temperatures peak in the range 16 to 22°C (61 to 72°F) on around the 12th of August and are at their minimum on about the 6th of March, in the range 1 to 2°C (34 to 36°F). The maximum Manitoulin Island water temperatures in the second week of August require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The minimum water temperatures at Manitoulin Island mean that you will need a flexible 6/5/4mm wetsuit or a well fitting 5/4mm wetsuit with gloves and 5mm neoprene booties and a hood to surf here in the first week of March.

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

Latest surface water temperature for the entire globe. Click the image to view a larger version.