Old Orchard Beach Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (12 °C) at Old Orchard Beach 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 (13 °C).

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 Old Orchard Beach. 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.

Old Orchard Beach water temperatures peak in the range 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F) on around the 12th of August and are at their lowest on about the 1st of March, in the range 2 to 3°C (36 to 37°F). The maximum Old Orchard Beach water temperatures in the second week of August require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The lowest water temperatures at Old Orchard Beach 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 at the beginning of March.

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