British Columbia (Canada): where to swim in May?
British Columbia, in May: the sea is at 10.1 °C on average along the coast, from 9.0 °C to 11.3 °C depending on the spot. Where the water is warmest (11.3 °C), it is cold. You can swim, but the cold bites quickly: plan a short swim, or wear a wetsuit.
Sea temperature, month by month
| Month | Average temperature | Depending on the spot | Where it is warmest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.1 °C | 7.2 °C – 8.7 °C | very cold |
| February | 7.8 °C | 7.0 °C – 8.5 °C | very cold |
| March | 7.6 °C | 6.9 °C – 8.5 °C | very cold |
| April | 8.3 °C | 7.4 °C – 9.6 °C | very cold |
| May | 10.1 °C | 9.0 °C – 11.3 °C | cold |
| June | 11.6 °C | 10.9 °C – 12.2 °C | cold |
| July | 13.8 °C | 13.1 °C – 14.4 °C | cold |
| August | 14.6 °C | 13.4 °C – 15.3 °C | cool |
| September | 13.8 °C | 12.4 °C – 15.0 °C | cool |
| October | 12.0 °C | 11.1 °C – 13.0 °C | cold |
| November | 10.0 °C | 9.3 °C – 10.9 °C | cold |
| December | 8.9 °C | 8.0 °C – 9.7 °C | very cold |
Compared with April, the water warms up by 1.8 °C in May. The warmest month: August (14.6 °C). The coldest: March (7.6 °C).
Nearby, in May
- Northwest Territories -1.4 °C · very cold
- Yukon -1.0 °C · very cold
- Nunavut -1.4 °C · very cold
- Ontario -1.1 °C · very cold
- Quebec 1.1 °C · very cold
- New Brunswick 6.5 °C · very cold
- Nova Scotia 6.0 °C · very cold
And right now?
For the temperature measured right now, station by station and to the hour: British Columbia: water temperature
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in May?
British Columbia, in May: 10.1 °C on average along the coast, from 9.0 °C in the coolest waters to 11.3 °C in the warmest (average of the years 2011 to 2025).
Can you swim in May?
Where the water is warmest (11.3 °C), it is cold. You can swim, but the cold bites quickly: plan a short swim, or wear a wetsuit.
What is the best month for swimming?
The water is warmest in August (14.6 °C on average) and coldest in March (7.6 °C). Even where it is warmest, the water never reaches 20 °C in any month; the three warmest months are: August, September, July.
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.