South Australia (Australia): where to swim in December?
South Australia, in December: the sea is at 18.0 °C on average along the coast, from 16.3 °C to 19.3 °C depending on the spot. Where the water is warmest (19.3 °C), it is pleasant. You can swim for a long time without shivering.
Sea temperature, month by month
| Month | Average temperature | Depending on the spot | Where it is warmest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.6 °C | 17.9 °C – 21.1 °C | pleasant |
| February | 19.9 °C | 18.2 °C – 21.7 °C | pleasant |
| March | 19.4 °C | 17.8 °C – 21.1 °C | pleasant |
| April | 18.8 °C | 17.3 °C – 20.1 °C | pleasant |
| May | 17.6 °C | 16.4 °C – 18.9 °C | cool |
| June | 16.6 °C | 15.3 °C – 17.7 °C | cool |
| July | 15.4 °C | 14.0 °C – 16.5 °C | cool |
| August | 14.7 °C | 13.4 °C – 15.6 °C | cool |
| September | 14.9 °C | 14.0 °C – 15.7 °C | cool |
| October | 15.7 °C | 14.5 °C – 16.7 °C | cool |
| November | 16.7 °C | 15.3 °C – 17.9 °C | cool |
| December | 18.0 °C | 16.3 °C – 19.3 °C | pleasant |
Compared with November, the water warms up by 1.3 °C in December. The warmest month: February (19.9 °C). The coldest: August (14.7 °C).
Nearby, in December
- Victoria 16.9 °C · cool
- New South Wales 22.7 °C · warm
- Tasmania 15.8 °C · cool
- Queensland 28.5 °C · very warm
- Western Australia 23.9 °C · very warm
And right now?
For the temperature measured right now, station by station and to the hour: South Australia: water temperature
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in December?
South Australia, in December: 18.0 °C on average along the coast, from 16.3 °C in the coolest waters to 19.3 °C in the warmest (average of the years 2011 to 2025).
Can you swim in December?
Where the water is warmest (19.3 °C), it is pleasant. You can swim for a long time without shivering.
What is the best month for swimming?
The water is warmest in February (19.9 °C on average) and coldest in August (14.7 °C). Where the water is warmest, it goes above 20 °C in these months: January, February, March, April.
What temperature do you need to swim comfortably?
Below 15 °C the water is cold: the cold takes your breath away and tires you quickly. Between 20 °C and 25 °C most people find it pleasant. Below 10 °C it is very cold.
Where do these temperatures come from?
These are averages of the sea surface temperature from 2011 to 2025, computed from NOAA satellite images (OISST, one value about every 50 km), in a 100 km strip along the coasts of the main country: distant territories (overseas, remote islands) are not counted. It is an estimate, not a measurement taken at the beach: lakes and rivers are not included.