Today's White Clay sea temperature is 17.7 °C
(2.9° colder than average for this time of year)
| Mean: | 20.6 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Range: | 19.8 °C to 22.0 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statistics for 21 Sep (1981–2005) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit.
Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 21 °C once we account for wind), yet at 17 °C the sea remains several degrees colder than the air at White Clay. The majority of surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.
 Map of current South Africa Surface Water Temperatures (based on measurements from oceanographic satellites) |  Map of current South Africa 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 White Clay. 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.
White Clay sea water temperatures peak in the range 24 to 27°C (75 to 81°F) on around the 2nd of February and are at their lowest on about the 19th of August, in the range 19 to 21°C (66 to 70°F). Year round warm sea water temperatures at White Clay climb to their highest in early February. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. White Clay sea water temperatures are lowest 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.
Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at White Clay 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 White Clay. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.
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