Where is the sea warm in Scotland? (2023)

Does Scotland have warm beaches?

Curious travelers seeking the best beaches in Scotland are in for a pleasant surprise: the perpetually overcast country has a plethora of gorgeous coastlines to explore. Granted, Scotland is no tropical playground – its frigid North Atlantic waters are rarely warm enough for a swim.

(Scotland – East Coast, UK)

The water temperature (52 °F) at Aberdeen is quite cold. Despite the sun, windchill of 41 °F means that surfers will need plenty of neoprene. Wear a quality winter wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. A windchill factor of (41 °F).

Unawatuna Beach, Sri Lanka

In this South Asian paradise, the warm water stays around 81 degrees in any season!

The South West, which is famed for its beaches, may be the first choice for many to dip their toes in the water. But the warmest places include Bracklesham Bay, and Weston Bay in the Bristol Channel, which both hit 21.6C on Monday.

Where is the warmest place in Scotland? It may surprise you, but the west coast of Scotland is often warmer than the east, due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean currents – you can even find palm trees in Plockton in the Highlands!

Dundee is Scotland's sunniest city, with an average of 1,523 hours of sunshine per year.

Scotland should be top of any wild swimmer's bucket list. Not only does it have a wide range of lochs, burns, waterfalls and seas to swim in, but Scotland's open access laws mean you have a right to responsibly enjoy inland water for recreational purposes.

Average annual water temperature on the coast in Saint Andrews is 50°F, by the seasons: in winter 45°F, in spring 45°F, in summer 55°F, in autumn 54°F. Minimum water temperature (41°F) in Saint Andrews it happens in March, maximum (59°F) in July.

The sea temperature in Shetland varies from about 6℃ (42℉) in the winter to about 13℃ (55℉) in late summer.

Is 20 degrees sea temperature warm?

17-20 DEGREES: Summer swimming

Lakes and more mature rivers reach this temperature over summer, during hot spells. Still fresh on entry, but comfortable picnic lazy-hazy summer swimming.

The waters of the Pacific Ocean comprise the world's largest heat reservoir, by far, and it is the warmest ocean, overall, of the world's five oceans. (The other oceans are the Arctic, Antarctic and Indian Oceans.)

1. Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall. Our research found that Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall is the warmest beach in the UK outside of summer, making this a must-visit during your Cornwall vacation.

The climate of Western Scotland is milder than that of Eastern Scotland due to the stronger maritime influence, as the prevailing winds blow from the sea. The warm Gulf Stream also has a strong influence on Western Scotland.

Many Scottish West Coast Islands are on the Gulf Stream allowing the growth of plants more associated with the tropics. Bute is no exception, and a visit to this gem on the Clyde is a journey into a diverse landscape.

Temperatures usually average between 15-20C in Scotland and Ireland, and around five degrees warmer in much of England.

England is also sunnier throughout the year, but unlike Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the sunniest month is July, with an average of 193.5 hours.

Tiree is THE sunniest Scottish Island

It's official! Tiree is the sunniest Scottish Island.

Sandwood Bay in Sutherland is one of Scotland's most interesting hidden beaches. Located at the extreme north-west of Scotland's mainland, Sandwood Bay has a spectacular mile-long sandy beach at the end of a 4-mile footpath. The natural bay is backed by large dunes, behind which is Sandwood Loch, a freshwater lake.

Do you get midges by the sea in Scotland?

Are coastal locations free of midges? Beaches make great midge free locations in Scotland. The evening coastal breeze from the sea serves as a great tool for keeping the midges away. In fact the bigger the beach the better as the well drained sandy soil drains moisture away very efficiently.

The graph below shows the range of monthly Edinburgh water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 58.6°F / 14.8°C. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 44.8°F / 7.1°C.

The water in this location never warms up to comfortable values. Average annual water temperature on the coast in Edinburgh is 51°F, by the seasons: in winter 46°F, in spring 46°F, in summer 56°F, in autumn 55°F. Minimum water temperature (42°F) in Edinburgh it happens in February, maximum (60°F) in July.

Sea temperatures off the Irish coast range from an average of 10°C off the south-west coast to less than 7°C off the north-east coast during February, and from 16°C in the south to 13°C in the north Irish Sea in August. Highest and lowest temperatures occur somewhat later in the year at sea than over land.

The water temperature (46 °F) at St Andrews is very cold. Despite the sun, surfers will need plenty of neoprene. Wear a quality winter wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. A windchill factor of (41 °F).

With gorgeous beaches and dramatic coastlines, Shetland has always been a great place for open-water swimming.

The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 61.9°F / 16.6°C. The coldest month is March with an average water temperature of 48.4°F / 9.1°C.

Where is hot enough to swim in December?

On average, some of the hottest places to visit in December are: Cancun (30.4 °C) Dominican Republic (29.6 °C) Barbados (29.5 °C)

Yes you can swim for a short time in water temperatures from 10 to 15 degrees without a wetsuit but you will be cold and you will get colder when you get out. If you are not acclimatised to the cold water, you will probably need a wetsuit for temperatures below 15 degrees until your body gets used to the cold water.

Don't Swim if Your Pool Water Is Below 70 Degrees

According to the National Center for Cold Water Safety, water temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit should be treated with caution. The “perfect” temperature for a swimming pool tends to range between 77 and 82 degrees. The average is somewhere around 79 degrees.

Sea temperatures for 781 travel destinations and 28 countries on continent Europe. The average temperature in Europe is 21.8°C. The highest current temperature on the continent according to our data, is in Koper (Slovenia) where water has 28.9 degrees celsius.

The Indian Ocean has the warmest surface temperature of all the world¹s oceans, as most of it is found in the tropics.

According to a paper entitled Plastic Pollution in the World's Ocean, the South Atlantic Ocean is the cleanest. The South Pacific is the least polluted of the world's oceans.

Met Office data found the city received more than 230 hours of sunlight – or nearly ten days – across the coldest season, which is more than anywhere else in the country. Chichester receives more than 1,920 hours or sunlight in 2021, revealed the weather service.

What part of the UK has the nicest weather?

Southern England offer the best weather with mild winters. The south coast of England is the sunniest part of the country. Southeast: Southeast has more temperature variations with warmer summers and cooler winters.

West Wittering, West Sussex

Not only is it one of the whitest beaches in the UK but coastal and countryside proximity makes it ideal for a family day away. Home to iconic views of the Isle of Wight, soft sands and plenty of space for safe paddling, a visit to West Wittering is worth your while.

According to the World Health Organization, water temperatures ranging from 78 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are generally comfortable and safe for those engaging in moderate physical activity in a pool.

Did you know the ocean along the east coast of the US is warmer than the ocean along the west coast of the US? It's true! There are large scale ocean currents that move water around in the oceans. In the northern hemisphere, they flow in a clockwise direction.

"Sargasso Sea" .

In the summer. Not in winter. Parts of the west coast of Scotland are warmed by the gulf stream so the water is sometimes quite warm. There are beaches in Aberdeen and Edinburgh but these are on the east coast so the water might be colder.

Wild swimming, sometimes known as outdoor or open water swimming, is an extra special watersport in Scotland. Here, it means gliding into a still loch in the shadows of Munros and castles, or slipping straight into the salty seas of the Atlantic Ocean or North Sea.

Birling Gap Beach, East Sussex

This destination also was found to be one of the UK's four warmest beaches, making Birling Gap Beach a fantastic autumn location!

Scotland should be top of any wild swimmer's bucket list. Not only does it have a wide range of lochs, burns, waterfalls and seas to swim in, but Scotland's open access laws mean you have a right to responsibly enjoy inland water for recreational purposes.

The blue shark can grow up to 3.8m in length and, as part of their annual migration, can be found especially off the west coast of Scotland during the summer months. It occurs at depths from the surface down to 600m. The blue shark is widely fished either through bycatch of by targeted fisheries.

Is the water cold in Scotland?

Open water swimming

Wetsuit: Even in summer, Scotland's waters are very cold. A wetsuit will help keep your body warm, and provide buoyancy. If you plan on swimming more than a few minutes, consider wearing a wetsuit.

South: Southern England offer the best weather with mild winters. The south coast of England is the sunniest part of the country.

With 22 lochs, the National Park is the perfect place to enjoy an invigorating and inspiring swim. Open water swimming in particular is a popular activity, and each year thousands of people take the plunge during mass participation events in Loch Lomond.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton, SEPA's Interim Head of Water and Planning, added: “Scotland's natural environment is world renowned. Our waters are at their best status on record and the best in the UK, including 99% of bathing waters meeting strict environmental standards in 2021.

Portobello Beach, a few miles from Edinburgh city centre, is a charming seaside suburb, with two miles of sand making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing.