Porto Covo Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (15 °C / 59 °F) at Porto Covo is fairly cool. Despite the sun, a windchill factor of (8 °C / 46 °F) means that surfers will need a good quality spring wetsuit, a neoprene hood. Some surfers would wear gloves and boots.

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

Map of current Portugal 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 Porto Covo. 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.

Porto Covo water temperatures peak in the range 20 to 23°C (68 to 73°F) on around the 15th of August and are at their coldest on about the 21st of February, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). Porto Covo water temperatures are maximum in mid August. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The coldest seasonal water temperatures at Porto Covo in mid to late February 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 Porto Covo 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 Porto Covo. 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.