Whitley Bay Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (6 °C) at Whitley Bay is very cold. Despite the sun, surfers will need plenty of neoprene. Wear a quality winter wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. A windchill factor of (6 °C).

Map of current United Kingdom Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current United Kingdom 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 Whitley 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.

Whitley Bay sea temperatures peak in the range 13 to 17°C (55 to 63°F) on around the 13th of August and are at their coldest on about the 21st of February, in the range 4 to 8°C (39 to 46°F). The warmest seasonal sea temperatures at Whitley Bay in the third week of August lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The coldest sea temperatures at Whitley Bay 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 in mid to late February.

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