Ribeira Grande Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The Ribeira Grande water temperature is reasonably warm (17 °C / 63 °F) but the air temperature will feel a few degrees cooler (13 °C / 55 °F). A good quality spring wetsuit would be ideal.

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 Ribeira Grande. 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.

Ribeira Grande water temperatures peak in the range 22 to 25°C (72 to 77°F) on around the 14th of August and are at their lowest on about the 28th of February, in the range 15 to 17°C (59 to 63°F). Ribeira Grande water temperatures are always warm reach their warmest in mid August. You'll need a 2mm neoprene top or a shorty at dawn/dusk or if it's windy. The lowest seasonal water temperatures at Ribeira Grande in the fourth week of 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 Ribeira Grande 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 Ribeira Grande. 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.