Morro Bay Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The Morro Bay water temperature is rather cool (13 °C) and the air temperature will feel about the same. A good quality spring wetsuit with optional neoprene boots should suffice. No need for wetsuit gloves.

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 Morro Bay. 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.

Morro Bay water temperatures peak in the range 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F) on around the 6th of September and are at their coldest on about the 7th of April, in the range 11 to 14°C (52 to 57°F). The maximum seasonal water temperatures at Morro Bay in the first week of September lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The coldest water temperatures at Morro Bay in the first part of April 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.

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