Papagayo Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feels like 23 °C / 73 °F) at Papagayo, 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 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 Papagayo. 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.

Papagayo sea water temperatures peak in the range 16 to 19°C (61 to 66°F) on around the 22nd of February and are at their lowest on about the 13th of August, in the range 12 to 14°C (54 to 57°F). The highest seasonal sea water temperatures at Papagayo in the second half of February lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The lowest sea water temperatures at Papagayo in the third week of August are ideally suited to a 4/3mm wetsuit + 3mm boots, although a 5/3mm wetsuit may be preferable for longer sessions and cold windy days.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Papagayo 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 Papagayo. 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.