Massachusetts (United States): where to swim in October?
Massachusetts, in October: the sea is at 15.9 °C on average along the coast, from 15.0 °C to 17.4 °C depending on the spot. Where the water is warmest (17.4 °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 | 7.0 °C | 5.4 °C – 8.0 °C | very cold |
| February | 5.3 °C | 3.5 °C – 6.5 °C | very cold |
| March | 5.2 °C | 4.3 °C – 6.0 °C | very cold |
| April | 6.9 °C | 6.4 °C – 7.5 °C | very cold |
| May | 10.2 °C | 9.3 °C – 11.2 °C | cold |
| June | 14.5 °C | 12.5 °C – 16.1 °C | cool |
| July | 19.7 °C | 18.4 °C – 21.5 °C | pleasant |
| August | 20.9 °C | 19.7 °C – 22.6 °C | pleasant |
| September | 19.0 °C | 17.9 °C – 20.4 °C | pleasant |
| October | 15.9 °C | 15.0 °C – 17.4 °C | cool |
| November | 12.1 °C | 11.1 °C – 13.8 °C | cold |
| December | 9.2 °C | 8.0 °C – 10.2 °C | cold |
Compared with September, the water cools down by 3.1 °C in October. The warmest month: August (20.9 °C). The coldest: March (5.2 °C).
Nearby, in October
- New Jersey 18.8 °C · pleasant
- New York 18.0 °C · cool
- Maine 13.2 °C · cold
And right now?
At sea, 13.9 °C on average across 19 stations, from 12.2 °C (Jeffreys Ledge, NH) to 16.3 °C (Chatham, cap Cod). In fresh water, 9.6 °C on average across 21 stations, from 5.9 °C (Green River Near Colrain, MA) to 15.2 °C (Fresh Pond In Gate House At Cambridge, MA (sonde : Fresh Pond Sonde)). Massachusetts: water temperature
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in October?
Massachusetts, in October: 15.9 °C on average along the coast, from 15.0 °C in the coolest waters to 17.4 °C in the warmest (average of the years 2011 to 2025).
Can you swim in October?
Where the water is warmest (17.4 °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 (20.9 °C on average) and coldest in March (5.2 °C). Where the water is warmest, it goes above 20 °C in these months: July, August, September.
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.