Santa Cruz Main Beach water temperature

Typically about 58° in August — brisk.

from a buoy out in Monterey Bay, about 15 miles away

brisk

bath-warm 80° and up perfect 72–79° refreshing 65–71° brisk below 65° 58° typical for August

The Boardwalk corner of the bay is the warmest water in Northern California, and it still rarely clears 65°. The buoy below sits out in the middle of Monterey Bay, so the sand-side reading usually runs a touch warmer.

The year at a glance

Rarely reaches swimmable temperatures.

40° 50° 60° 70° 61° 53° JFMAMJJASOND January: typically 53° — brisk February: typically 54° — brisk March: typically 53° — brisk April: typically 54° — brisk May: typically 54° — brisk June: typically 54° — brisk July: typically 57° — brisk August: typically 58° — brisk September: typically 61° — brisk October: typically 61° — brisk November: typically 58° — brisk December: typically 58° — brisk

Month by month

Month Typical Feels
January 53° brisk
February 54° brisk
March 53° brisk
April 54° brisk
May 54° brisk
June 54° brisk
July 57° brisk
August 58° brisk
September 61° brisk
October 61° brisk
November 58° brisk
December 58° brisk

About this reading

The reading comes from a buoy out in Monterey Bay riding about 15 miles out; the surf zone usually reads close to it, though sun-warmed shallows can run warmer on calm afternoons.

Reading from a buoy out in Monterey Bay, about 15 miles away.

Warm water says nothing about surf, rip currents, or bacteria — check local lifeguard flags and advisories.