Big Ben Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 23 °C once we account for wind), and similar sea temperatures (20 °C). Wear boardshorts or a shorty, or better still a thin summer wetsuit to keep the UV off.

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

Map of current Japan 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 Big Ben. 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.

Big Ben sea water temperatures peak in the range 26 to 28°C (79 to 82°F) on around the 15th of August and are at their lowest on about the 1st of March, in the range 15 to 17°C (59 to 63°F). Year round warm sea water temperatures at Big Ben climb to their highest in mid August. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. The lowest seasonal sea water temperatures at Big Ben at the beginning of March 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 Big Ben 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 Big Ben. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.