Surf City Pier Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 24 °C once we account for wind), yet at 19 °C the sea remains several degrees colder than the air at Surf City Pier. The majority of surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.

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

Map of current United States 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 Surf City Pier. 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.

Surf City Pier sea temperatures peak in the range 27 to 29°C (81 to 84°F) on around the 25th of July and are at their lowest on about the 3rd of February, in the range 17 to 21°C (63 to 70°F). Year round warm sea temperatures at Surf City Pier climb to their maximum in late July. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. The lowest Surf City Pier sea temperatures at the start of February require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Surf City Pier 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 Surf City Pier. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.