Manitoulin Island Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

(Lake Huron – Canada)

Today's Manitoulin Island sea temperature is 5.1 °C

(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Mean: 4.5 °C
Range: 3.2 °C to 8.3 °C
Statistics for 21 May (1981–2005)
  • neoprene wetsuit hood for warmth and a watertight seal in cold sea temperatures
  • neoprene gloves for warmth, grip, and protection in cold temperatures
  • wetsuit boots for warmth, grip, and protection in cold temperatures

Today, many surfers would wear a winter wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots.

The water temperature (5 °C) at Manitoulin Island is very cold. Despite the sun, surfers will need plenty of neoprene. Wear a quality winter wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. A windchill factor of (7 °C).

Canada Sea Water Temperature

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

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 Manitoulin Island. 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.

Manitoulin Island Water Temperature Graph

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.

Manitoulin Island sea water temperatures peak in the range 16 to 22°C (61 to 72°F) on around the 13th of August and are at their coldest on about the 7th of March, in the range 1 to 2°C (34 to 36°F). The highest Manitoulin Island sea water temperatures in the third week of August require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The coldest sea water temperatures at Manitoulin Island 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 the first part of March.

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

 

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