Santa Cruz Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

(Peniche, Portugal)

Today's Santa Cruz sea temperature is 16.3 °C

(Which is normal for this time of year)

Mean: 16.4 °C
Range: 15.1 °C to 17.8 °C
Statistics for 11 May (1981–2005)
  • wetsuit boots for warmth, grip, and protection in cold temperatures

Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit and neoprene boots.

The water temperature at Santa Cruz is rather cool (16 °C) and the air temperature will feel similar. A good quality spring wetsuit with optional neoprene boots should suffice. No need for wetsuit gloves.

Portugal Sea Water Temperature

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

Map of current Portugal
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 Santa Cruz. 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.

Santa Cruz 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.

Santa Cruz water temperatures peak in the range 20 to 22°C (68 to 72°F) on around the 18th of August and are at their minimum on about the 21st of February, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). Santa Cruz water temperatures are warmest in the third week of August. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The minimum water temperatures at Santa Cruz in mid to late February 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

 

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