Birling Gap Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (7 °C) at Birling Gap is very cold. You will need a quality steamer wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. Cloudy, with an effective air temperature of (7 °C), so feeling about the same in the water or out of it.

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

Map of current United Kingdom 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 Birling Gap. 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.

Birling Gap sea temperatures peak in the range 16 to 19°C (61 to 66°F) on around the 17th of August and are at their minimum on about the 25th of February, in the range 5 to 9°C (41 to 48°F). The warmest seasonal sea temperatures at Birling Gap in the middle of August lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The minimum sea temperatures at Birling Gap 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 February.

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