Santa Maria Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 21 °C once we account for wind), and similar sea temperatures (21 °C). Wear boardshorts or a shorty, or bette still a thin summer wetsuit to keep the UV off.

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

Map of current Cape Verde 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 Santa Maria. 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.

Santa Maria sea water temperatures peak in the range 26 to 28°C (79 to 82°F) on around the 23rd of September and are at their lowest on about the 13th of February, in the range 21 to 24°C (70 to 75°F). Year round warm sea water temperatures at Santa Maria climb to their maximum in the fourth week of September. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. Santa Maria sea water temperatures are lowest in the third week of February. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up.

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