United States: where to swim in August?
United States, in August: the sea is at 23.8 °C on average along the coast, from 14.7 °C to 30.4 °C depending on the spot. Where the water is warmest (30.4 °C), it is very warm. Almost lukewarm: you can get in without any cold shock.
Sea temperature, month by month
| Month | Average temperature | Depending on the spot | Where it is warmest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.4 °C | 7.1 °C – 22.1 °C | pleasant |
| February | 13.8 °C | 5.4 °C – 21.7 °C | pleasant |
| March | 14.5 °C | 5.6 °C – 22.4 °C | pleasant |
| April | 16.1 °C | 7.5 °C – 24.2 °C | warm |
| May | 18.5 °C | 11.0 °C – 26.0 °C | warm |
| June | 21.2 °C | 12.5 °C – 28.8 °C | very warm |
| July | 23.2 °C | 13.8 °C – 29.9 °C | very warm |
| August | 23.8 °C | 14.7 °C – 30.4 °C | very warm |
| September | 23.0 °C | 14.5 °C – 29.4 °C | very warm |
| October | 21.2 °C | 13.5 °C – 28.2 °C | very warm |
| November | 18.2 °C | 11.5 °C – 25.6 °C | warm |
| December | 16.1 °C | 9.2 °C – 23.7 °C | warm |
Compared with July, the water warms up by 0.6 °C in August. The warmest month: August (23.8 °C). The coldest: February (13.8 °C).
Where the water is warmest in August
- Louisiana 30.3 °C · very warm
- Florida 29.9 °C · very warm
- Alabama 29.8 °C · very warm
- Texas 29.8 °C · very warm
- Georgia 28.9 °C · very warm
- South Carolina 28.7 °C · very warm
- North Carolina 28.1 °C · very warm
- Hawaii 26.7 °C · very warm
- Maryland 26.3 °C · very warm
- Virginia 26.0 °C · very warm
- New Jersey 24.7 °C · warm
- New York 23.3 °C · warm
- Massachusetts 20.9 °C · pleasant
- Maine 17.1 °C · pleasant
- California 16.6 °C · pleasant
- Washington 14.7 °C · cool
- Oregon 14.4 °C · cool
- Alaska 10.2 °C · cold
And right now?
For the temperature measured right now, station by station and to the hour: United States: water temperature
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in August?
United States, in August: 23.8 °C on average along the coast, from 14.7 °C in the coolest waters to 30.4 °C in the warmest (average of the years 2011 to 2025).
Can you swim in August?
Where the water is warmest (30.4 °C), it is very warm. Almost lukewarm: you can get in without any cold shock.
What is the best month for swimming?
The water is warmest in August (23.8 °C on average) and coldest in February (13.8 °C). Where the water is warmest, it goes above 20 °C in these months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Where is the water warmest in August?
The warmest in August: Louisiana (30.3 °C), Florida (29.9 °C), Alabama (29.8 °C). The coolest: Alaska (10.2 °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.