Santa Monica Pier Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (14 °C) at Santa Monica Pier is quite cool. If the sun shines as we have forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a good spring wetsuit. Effective windchill factor of (15 °C) will make the air and water feel about the same temperature.

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 Santa Monica Pier. 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.

Santa Monica Pier sea water temperatures peak in the range 17 to 21°C (63 to 70°F) on around the 5th of September and are at their minimum on about the 5th of February, in the range 12 to 16°C (54 to 61°F). The warmest Santa Monica Pier sea water temperatures at the beginning of September require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The minimum sea water temperatures at Santa Monica Pier at the beginning of 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 Monica Pier 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 Monica Pier. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.