United Kingdom: where to swim in October?
United Kingdom, in October: the sea is at 12.9 °C on average along the coast, from 11.2 °C to 15.4 °C depending on the spot. Where the water is warmest (15.4 °C), it is cool. Swimming is fine if you like cool water: you get used to it after a few minutes, especially in mild weather.
Sea temperature, month by month
| Month | Average temperature | Depending on the spot | Where it is warmest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.8 °C | 7.5 °C – 10.2 °C | cold |
| February | 7.9 °C | 6.5 °C – 9.5 °C | very cold |
| March | 7.9 °C | 6.5 °C – 9.4 °C | very cold |
| April | 8.5 °C | 7.3 °C – 9.8 °C | very cold |
| May | 9.9 °C | 8.7 °C – 11.7 °C | cold |
| June | 12.2 °C | 10.8 °C – 14.4 °C | cold |
| July | 14.1 °C | 12.3 °C – 16.6 °C | cool |
| August | 15.0 °C | 13.1 °C – 17.5 °C | cool |
| September | 14.3 °C | 12.5 °C – 16.9 °C | cool |
| October | 12.9 °C | 11.2 °C – 15.4 °C | cool |
| November | 11.5 °C | 10.3 °C – 13.5 °C | cold |
| December | 10.0 °C | 9.0 °C – 11.6 °C | cold |
Compared with September, the water cools down by 1.4 °C in October. The warmest month: August (15.0 °C). The coldest: February (7.9 °C).
Nearby, in October
- Ireland 13.7 °C · cold
- Netherlands 15.2 °C · cool
- Denmark 13.0 °C · cold
- Germany 13.7 °C · cold
- France 18.0 °C · pleasant
- Poland 13.1 °C · cold
And right now?
At sea, 13.7 °C on average across 15 stations, from 10.7 °C (Bouée ancrée 64046) to 16.2 °C (Greenwich Lightship). In fresh water, 10.2 °C on average across 96 stations, from 6.8 °C (Us Harehope (TILL)) to 16.8 °C (Flag Fen (COUNTER DRAIN)). United Kingdom: water temperature
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in October?
United Kingdom, in October: 12.9 °C on average along the coast, from 11.2 °C in the coolest waters to 15.4 °C in the warmest (average of the years 2011 to 2025).
Can you swim in October?
Where the water is warmest (15.4 °C), it is cool. Swimming is fine if you like cool water: you get used to it after a few minutes, especially in mild weather.
What is the best month for swimming?
The water is warmest in August (15.0 °C on average) and coldest in February (7.9 °C). Even where it is warmest, the water never reaches 20 °C in any month; the three warmest months are: August, September, July.
Where is the water warmest in October?
The warmest in October: Ireland (13.7 °C), Netherlands (15.2 °C), Denmark (13.0 °C). The coolest: Poland (13.1 °C).
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.