Current water temps

Kathyzhere · Post by **Kathyzhere** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:53 am

Hi all,

Headed down very soon and wondering what the water temps are at the moment. After living in SW FL for 12 years we require warmer water than say New Englandahs

Our preferred time to visit is late Spring/early Summer but meeting up with family on STJ and they're from the Cape and Maine, so this time of year is awesome to them, well yeah - anytime on STJ is awesome, but ... will we need wetsuits?!!

Thanks!
Kathy & Thomas

Coconuts · Post by **Coconuts** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 11:22 am

Kathy: The one water temperature recorder that I have found is down on the South Shore, at VIERS in Lameshur Bay, but the temperatures there have tracked pretty well with my personal measurements on the North Shore. Bottom line: the ocean temperature at this time of year peaks a bit after 3 PM in the afternoon at a pretty warm 82-83 degrees F, and drops to 80F at night. Hard to imagine temperatures like those calling for a wet suit! In August, 87 F is pretty typical, and bobbing in the water for hours on end as the sun goes down (and the beach empties out) is pretty awesome. Link here:

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/physoc ... id=9751381

Subtract four hours to convert from GMT to AST (24 hour clock).

All the best,

Kevin

Kathyzhere · Post by **Kathyzhere** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 2:42 pm

Kevin, thank-you for your reply and the link. That temp range is exactly what I was hoping for! Happy to know now that we will be able to snorkel and not be cold.

Take care,
Kathy

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 2:53 pm

I disagree. The water temperature is not conducive to extended snorkeling without some kind of protection. I had to abort a snorkel to Pelican Rock on Friday because I was so cold that I started to get cramping in my feet and left leg. I was wearing long underarmour and it was not enough. I will be bringing a wetsuit for future winter trips. And I am from Boston, so I am used to the cold.

Sent from Frenchmans Reef, where I am stuck for the next few days thanks to blizzard number whatever of this year.

dctac · Post by **dctac** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 3:16 pm

It seems a bit warmer than last year....I hate cold water......cinnamon was nice..

Splasher54 · Post by **Splasher54** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:25 pm

We were there 2 weeks ago and I swam out to pelican rock. I had on a rash guard and by the time I got there, I was actually overheated! We found the water very comfortable at all of the beaches we went to. I had taken wetsuit tops with me in case, but did not have to use them!

Kathyzhere · Post by **Kathyzhere** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:39 pm

Thanks for your time and replies everyone. I guess I will just have to wait and see for myself in 1 week from tomorrow! We are supposed to dip down into the 20s here tonight, brrrrr

ThirdBird · Post by **ThirdBird** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:49 pm

The 20s would sadly be an improvement for us...can't wait to be on island in a couple of weeks! Temp here in western PA is dipping to negative 11 before windchill tonight. Get me outta here!

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:15 pm

I am not sure of the numerical temperature but it seems quite warm for the winter this year -- I can call it 'walk in warm' - there doesn't seem to be the usual shock value that those of us who live here generally feel when we occasionally swim in the winter.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 7:43 am

I agree with Exit Zero although for me it is almost "walk in warm" but still not warm enough for me to swim

Pia

psufan · Post by **psufan** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:44 am

I was on the snorkel out to Pelican Rock with Liamsaunt. I had a shorty on which kept me marginally warmer but after 1.5 hours in the water I was shivering by the time I got out. I tend to like warmer water so I found it a bit "cool" for extended periods of time without a shorty. It was perfectly fine and refreshing for a quick dip and if you actively swim I'm sure the temperature is great.

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