Sao Joao Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (14 °C / 59 °F) at Sao Joao is fairly cool. Despite the sun, a windchill factor of (9 °C / 48 °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 Sao Joao. 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.

Sao Joao sea temperatures peak in the range 20 to 22°C (68 to 72°F) on around the 17th of August and are at their minimum on about the 24th of February, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). Sao Joao sea temperatures are warmest in the middle of August. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The minimum sea temperatures at Sao Joao in the fourth week of February 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 Sao Joao 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 Sao Joao. 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.