Tofino Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (10 °C) at Tofino is quite cold. If the sun shines as forecast, it should feel warm enough to get away with a good sealed spring wetsuit but you won't overheat in a winter wetsuit, gloves boots and a hood. Effective windchill factor of (11 °C).

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

Map of current Canada 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 Tofino. 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.

Tofino sea temperatures peak in the range 13 to 17°C (55 to 63°F) on around the 13th of August and are at their lowest on about the 29th of January, in the range 7 to 9°C (45 to 48°F). The maximum sea temperatures at Tofino in the third week of August 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. The lowest sea temperatures at Tofino mean that you will need a flexible 6/5/4mm wetsuit or a well fitting 5/4mm wetsuit with gloves and 5mm neoprene booties and a hood to surf here in late January.

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