Penascal Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 23 °C once we account for wind), and similar sea temperatures (20 °C). Wear boardshorts or a shorty, or bette still a thin summer wetsuit to keep the UV off.

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

Map of current Peru 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 Penascal. 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.

Penascal sea temperatures peak in the range 21 to 26°C (70 to 79°F) on around the 10th of February and are at their coldest on about the 7th of August, in the range 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F). Penascal sea temperatures are always warm reach their warmest in early to mid February. You'll need a 2mm neoprene top or a shorty at dawn/dusk or if it's windy. The coldest seasonal sea temperatures at Penascal in the first part 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 Penascal 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 Penascal. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.