Where can you swim, month by month? According to the average water temperatures published on our pages, the sea reaches at least 21 °C (70 °F) all year in the French West Indies, Goa, Malaysia, Madagascar and on the Tanzanian coast. In the Mediterranean, you have to wait until June for Crete, Malta, Cyprus and Split (Croatia), and July for Corsica; the water stays above 21 °C until September or October.
This page cross-references two sets of data already published on Destination de Voyage: the average sea temperature month by month (29 measuring points in 22 destinations, all from the climate tables of the German weather service, the DWD) grouped by major geographic zone (Mediterranean, European Atlantic, Africa and Middle East, Caribbean and the Americas, Indian Ocean and Asia). The result: for each month, the destinations where the water exceeds 21 °C (70 °F), zone by zone. We name the source of our water temperatures, line by line.
Key facts
- From December to April, none of our Mediterranean or European Atlantic destinations reaches 21 °C (70 °F): aim for West Africa (Dakar, 21 °C in January), the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean.
- In May, Antalya (Turkey) is the first Mediterranean destination to reach 21 °C (70 °F).
- From June to October, the eastern Mediterranean (Crete, Malta, Cyprus, Antalya) is above 21 °C (70 °F); Split from June, Corsica and Tuscany from July to September.
- The Atlantic stays cool: Lisbon, Faro and Tenerife do not exceed 23 °C (73 °F), even in late summer; Madeira reaches 21 to 23 °C (70 to 73 °F) from July to October.
- Most favorable months: July, August and September, with 25 measuring points out of 29 above 21 °C (70 °F).
- The 21 °C threshold and the grouping by zone are an unofficial Destination de Voyage calculation.
Where to swim month by month: the cross table
For each month, the destinations where the sea reaches at least 21 °C (70 °F) on average, grouped by major geographic zone. Click a destination for its detailed climate.
| Month | Mediterranean | European Atlantic | Africa and Middle East | Caribbean and the Americas | Indian Ocean and Asia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | – | – | Senegal (21 °C / 70 °F) | Guadeloupe (26 °C / 79 °F), Martinique (26 °C / 79 °F), Cuba (25 °C / 77 °F) | Tanzania (coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (27.3 °C / 81 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (27.2 °C / 81 °F), Goa (India) (27 °C / 81 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (27 °C / 81 °F), Madagascar (26 °C / 79 °F) |
| February | – | – | – | Martinique (26 °C / 79 °F), Guadeloupe (25 °C / 77 °F), Cuba (24 °C / 75 °F) | Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Tanzania (coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (27.6 °C / 82 °F), Goa (India) (27 °C / 81 °F), Madagascar (27 °C / 81 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (26.7 °C / 80 °F) |
| March | – | – | Qatar (24 °C / 75 °F) | Martinique (27 °C / 81 °F), Guadeloupe (26 °C / 79 °F), Cuba (24 °C / 75 °F) | Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (29 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (28.3 °C / 83 °F), Goa (India) (28 °C / 82 °F), Tanzania (coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (27.3 °C / 81 °F), Madagascar (27 °C / 81 °F) |
| April | – | – | Qatar (28 °C / 82 °F), Senegal (21 °C / 70 °F) | Martinique (27 °C / 81 °F), Cuba (26 °C / 79 °F), Guadeloupe (26 °C / 79 °F) | Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (29.1 °C / 84 °F), Goa (India) (29 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (29 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (28.4 °C / 83 °F), Tanzania (coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Madagascar (26 °C / 79 °F) |
| May | Turkey – Antalya (21 °C / 70 °F) | – | Qatar (29 °C / 84 °F), Senegal (23 °C / 73 °F) | Cuba (27 °C / 81 °F), Guadeloupe (27 °C / 81 °F), Martinique (27 °C / 81 °F) | Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (29.6 °C / 85 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (29.3 °C / 85 °F), Goa (India) (29 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (29 °C / 84 °F), Tanzania (coast) (27 °C / 81 °F), Madagascar (25 °C / 77 °F) |
| June | Cyprus – Larnaca (22 °C / 72 °F), Crete (22 °C / 72 °F), Turkey – Antalya (22 °C / 72 °F), Croatia (21.1 °C / 70 °F), Cyprus – Paphos (21 °C / 70 °F), Malta (21 °C / 70 °F), Turkey – Izmir (21 °C / 70 °F) | – | Qatar (29 °C / 84 °F), Senegal (25 °C / 77 °F) | Cuba (27 °C / 81 °F), Guadeloupe (27 °C / 81 °F), Martinique (27 °C / 81 °F) | Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (29.4 °C / 85 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (29.2 °C / 85 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (29 °C / 84 °F), Goa (India) (28 °C / 82 °F), Tanzania (coast) (26 °C / 79 °F), Madagascar (23 °C / 73 °F) |
| July | Turkey – Antalya (26 °C / 79 °F), Cyprus – Larnaca (25 °C / 77 °F), Crete (24 °C / 75 °F), Malta (24 °C / 75 °F), Tuscany – Grosseto (23.5 °C / 74 °F), Croatia (23.2 °C / 74 °F), Cyprus – Paphos (23 °C / 73 °F), Turkey – Izmir (23 °C / 73 °F), Corsica (22.7 °C / 73 °F), Tuscany – Pisa (22.6 °C / 73 °F) | Azores (21.7 °C / 71 °F), Madeira (21 °C / 70 °F), Tenerife – Santa Cruz de Tenerife (21 °C / 70 °F), Tenerife – Tenerife Sud (21 °C / 70 °F) | Qatar (30 °C / 86 °F), Senegal (27 °C / 81 °F) | Cuba (28 °C / 82 °F), Guadeloupe (28 °C / 82 °F), Martinique (28 °C / 82 °F) | Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (29.1 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (28.8 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Goa (India) (27 °C / 81 °F), Tanzania (coast) (25 °C / 77 °F), Madagascar (24 °C / 75 °F) |
| August | Turkey – Antalya (28 °C / 82 °F), Cyprus – Larnaca (27 °C / 81 °F), Crete (25 °C / 77 °F), Malta (25 °C / 77 °F), Tuscany – Grosseto (24.3 °C / 76 °F), Cyprus – Paphos (24 °C / 75 °F), Corsica (23.8 °C / 75 °F), Croatia (23.5 °C / 74 °F), Tuscany – Pisa (23.4 °C / 74 °F), Turkey – Izmir (23 °C / 73 °F) | Azores (22.8 °C / 73 °F), Madeira (22 °C / 72 °F), Tenerife – Santa Cruz de Tenerife (22 °C / 72 °F), Tenerife – Tenerife Sud (22 °C / 72 °F) | Qatar (31 °C / 88 °F), Senegal (27 °C / 81 °F) | Cuba (28 °C / 82 °F), Guadeloupe (28 °C / 82 °F), Martinique (28 °C / 82 °F) | Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (28.9 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (28.8 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Goa (India) (27 °C / 81 °F), Tanzania (coast) (25 °C / 77 °F), Madagascar (24 °C / 75 °F) |
| September | Turkey – Antalya (27 °C / 81 °F), Cyprus – Larnaca (26 °C / 79 °F), Cyprus – Paphos (25 °C / 77 °F), Crete (24 °C / 75 °F), Malta (24 °C / 75 °F), Tuscany – Grosseto (22.8 °C / 73 °F), Corsica (22.5 °C / 72 °F), Turkey – Izmir (22 °C / 72 °F), Tuscany – Pisa (21.8 °C / 71 °F), Croatia (21.7 °C / 71 °F) | Madeira (23 °C / 73 °F), Tenerife – Santa Cruz de Tenerife (23 °C / 73 °F), Tenerife – Tenerife Sud (23 °C / 73 °F), Azores (22.3 °C / 72 °F) | Qatar (29 °C / 84 °F), Senegal (27 °C / 81 °F) | Cuba (28 °C / 82 °F), Guadeloupe (28 °C / 82 °F), Martinique (28 °C / 82 °F) | Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (28.9 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (28.9 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Goa (India) (27 °C / 81 °F), Tanzania (coast) (25 °C / 77 °F), Madagascar (24 °C / 75 °F) |
| October | Cyprus – Larnaca (24 °C / 75 °F), Cyprus – Paphos (24 °C / 75 °F), Turkey – Antalya (24 °C / 75 °F), Crete (23 °C / 73 °F), Malta (22 °C / 72 °F) | Tenerife – Santa Cruz de Tenerife (23 °C / 73 °F), Tenerife – Tenerife Sud (23 °C / 73 °F), Madeira (22 °C / 72 °F) | Qatar (27 °C / 81 °F), Senegal (27 °C / 81 °F) | Cuba (28 °C / 82 °F), Guadeloupe (28 °C / 82 °F), Martinique (28 °C / 82 °F) | Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (29 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (28.7 °C / 84 °F), Goa (India) (28 °C / 82 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Tanzania (coast) (26 °C / 79 °F), Madagascar (24 °C / 75 °F) |
| November | Cyprus – Larnaca (21 °C / 70 °F), Cyprus – Paphos (21 °C / 70 °F), Turkey – Antalya (21 °C / 70 °F) | Tenerife – Santa Cruz de Tenerife (21 °C / 70 °F), Tenerife – Tenerife Sud (21 °C / 70 °F) | Senegal (27 °C / 81 °F), Qatar (25 °C / 77 °F) | Martinique (28 °C / 82 °F), Cuba (27 °C / 81 °F), Guadeloupe (27 °C / 81 °F) | Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (28.8 °C / 84 °F), Goa (India) (28 °C / 82 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (27.8 °C / 82 °F), Tanzania (coast) (27 °C / 81 °F), Madagascar (25 °C / 77 °F) |
| December | – | – | Qatar (24 °C / 75 °F), Senegal (24 °C / 75 °F) | Cuba (27 °C / 81 °F), Guadeloupe (27 °C / 81 °F), Martinique (27 °C / 81 °F) | Malaysia – Kuantan (east coast) (28.7 °C / 84 °F), Malaysia – Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) (28.2 °C / 83 °F), Tanzania (coast) (28 °C / 82 °F), Goa (India) (27 °C / 81 °F), Malaysia – Penang (west coast) (27 °C / 81 °F), Madagascar (26 °C / 79 °F) |
All sea temperatures, month by month
The detail of the values, station by station. In bold: months when the water reaches 21 °C (70 °F) or more.
| Destination | Measuring point | Zone | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Months at 21 °C or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Larnaca | Mediterranean | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 6 |
| Cyprus | Paphos | Mediterranean | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 6 |
| Corsica | Ajaccio | Mediterranean | 13.8 | 13.4 | 13.6 | 14.5 | 16.4 | 20.1 | 22.7 | 23.8 | 22.5 | 20.5 | 17.7 | 15.4 | 3 |
| Croatia | Split | Mediterranean | 12.2 | 11.5 | 12 | 13.9 | 17.3 | 21.1 | 23.2 | 23.5 | 21.7 | 19.5 | 16.6 | 14 | 4 |
| Crete | Heraklion | Mediterranean | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 5 |
| Malta | Luqa | Mediterranean | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 5 |
| Tuscany | Pisa | Mediterranean | 13.5 | 13.2 | 13.4 | 14.5 | 16.6 | 19.6 | 22.6 | 23.4 | 21.8 | 19.6 | 17.1 | 14.7 | 3 |
| Tuscany | Grosseto | Mediterranean | 14.1 | 13.7 | 14 | 14.8 | 17.2 | 20.6 | 23.5 | 24.3 | 22.8 | 20.4 | 17.8 | 15.1 | 3 |
| Turkey | Antalya | Mediterranean | 18 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 7 |
| Turkey | Izmir | Mediterranean | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 4 |
| Algarve (Portugal) | Faro | European Atlantic | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 0 |
| Azores | Horta (Faial) | European Atlantic | 16.4 | 15.6 | 15.6 | 16.2 | 17.6 | 19.3 | 21.7 | 22.8 | 22.3 | 20.4 | 18.7 | 17.4 | 3 |
| Lisbon | Lisbon | European Atlantic | 15.4 | 14.9 | 15 | 15.4 | 16.4 | 17.9 | 19.4 | 20.2 | 20.3 | 19.4 | 17.9 | 16.4 | 0 |
| Madeira | Funchal | European Atlantic | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 4 |
| Tenerife | Santa Cruz de Tenerife | European Atlantic | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 5 |
| Tenerife | Tenerife Sud | European Atlantic | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 5 |
| Qatar | Doha | Africa and Middle East | 19 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 10 |
| Senegal | Dakar | Africa and Middle East | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 10 |
| California | Los Angeles (LAX) | Caribbean and the Americas | 13.9 | 14.2 | 14.6 | 15.4 | 16.2 | 17.8 | 19 | 19.6 | 19 | 18.1 | 16.5 | 14.8 | 0 |
| California | San Francisco (airport) | Caribbean and the Americas | 10.5 | 11 | 11.7 | 12.4 | 13 | 14 | 14.6 | 15.3 | 15.7 | 15 | 13 | 11.2 | 0 |
| Cuba | Havana | Caribbean and the Americas | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 12 |
| Guadeloupe | Pointe-à-Pitre | Caribbean and the Americas | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 12 |
| Martinique | Le Lamentin | Caribbean and the Americas | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 12 |
| Goa (India) | Panaji (Panjim) | Indian Ocean and Asia | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 12 |
| Madagascar | Toliara | Indian Ocean and Asia | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 12 |
| Malaysia | Penang (west coast) | Indian Ocean and Asia | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 12 |
| Malaysia | Kuantan (east coast) | Indian Ocean and Asia | 27.3 | 27.6 | 28.3 | 29.1 | 29.6 | 29.4 | 29.1 | 28.9 | 28.9 | 29 | 27.8 | 28.7 | 12 |
| Malaysia | Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) | Indian Ocean and Asia | 27.2 | 26.7 | 27.3 | 28.4 | 29.3 | 29.2 | 28.8 | 28.8 | 28.9 | 28.7 | 28.8 | 28.2 | 12 |
| Tanzania (coast) | Dar es Salaam | Indian Ocean and Asia | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 12 |
Where to swim: our landmarks
Where to swim in January?
Winter in the northern hemisphere is the season for faraway destinations: the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia. Nothing in the Mediterranean or the European Atlantic exceeds 21 °C (70 °F); Tenerife and Madeira stay around 18 to 19 °C (64 to 66 °F), for hardy swimmers. In total, 10 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in January.
Where to swim in February?
Same picture as January: in Europe, the warmest sea is in the Canary Islands (18 °C / 64 °F). For real swimming, head for the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean. In total, 9 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in February.
Where to swim in March?
The Mediterranean is at its lowest (12 to 17 °C / 54 to 63 °F). In the Middle East, Qatar already exceeds 21 °C (24 °C / 75 °F); the Caribbean remains a safe bet. In total, 10 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in March.
Where to swim in April?
April is the spring-break trap: the Mediterranean does not exceed 18 °C (64 °F). Outside the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, Qatar (28 °C / 82 °F) is the warmest option; Dakar is just at 21 °C (70 °F). In total, 11 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in April.
Where to swim in May?
Antalya reaches 21 °C (70 °F): it is the first Mediterranean destination of the year on our list. The rest of the basin does not exceed 20 °C (68 °F). In total, 12 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in May.
Where to swim in June?
The tipping point: Crete (22 °C / 72 °F), Malta (21 °C / 70 °F), Cyprus, Antalya and Split cross the threshold. June is a good compromise between decent water and moderate crowds. In total, 18 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in June.
Where to swim in July?
The Mediterranean is above 21 °C (70 °F) almost everywhere, Corsica and Tuscany included. On the Atlantic side, Madeira and the Azores only just reach 21 to 22 °C (70 to 72 °F). In total, 25 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in July.
Where to swim in August?
The warmest month for the water in the Mediterranean: 24 to 25 °C (75 to 77 °F) in Crete and Malta, up to 27 to 28 °C (81 to 82 °F) in Larnaca (Cyprus) and Antalya. In total, 25 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in August.
Where to swim in September?
September keeps the sea as warm as August (24 to 27 °C / 75 to 81 °F in the eastern Mediterranean), with fewer people. It is often the best month for swimming in Europe. In total, 25 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in September.
Where to swim in October?
The eastern Mediterranean stays above 21 °C (70 °F) (Crete 23 °C / 73 °F, Cyprus 24 °C / 75 °F, Antalya 24 °C / 75 °F), Malta at 22 °C (72 °F); Madeira and Tenerife are at 22 to 23 °C (72 to 73 °F). In total, 19 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in October.
Where to swim in November?
The last swims in the Mediterranean are in Cyprus and Antalya (21 °C / 70 °F). The rest of Europe drops back below the threshold; the Caribbean, Senegal and the Indian Ocean take over. In total, 16 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in November.
Where to swim in December?
As in January, it is the turn of faraway destinations. Qatar drops to 24 °C (75 °F), Dakar to 24 °C (75 °F); Tenerife and Madeira stay around 19 to 20 °C (66 to 68 °F). In total, 11 of 29 measuring points reach 21 °C (70 °F). All our trip ideas for this month: where to go in December.
How to read these figures
- A monthly average, not today’s temperature: from one year to the next and from one beach to another, the water can vary by several degrees (wind, currents, cold upwelling on the Atlantic).
- The 21 °C (70 °F) threshold is an editorial benchmark for pleasant swimming for most adults; there is no official threshold. Children and people who feel the cold will prefer 24 °C (75 °F) and above.
- Measurement periods differ between DWD stations (some are old, like Faro 1931-1960): compare orders of magnitude, not tenths of a degree.
- The zones are an editorial geographic grouping; they say nothing about journey length or price, which you should check with airlines.
For air rather than water temperature, see our ranking of where it is hot month by month and our sunny destinations; for the full method, see our page on sea temperature.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you swim in warm water in April?
Among our destinations, Qatar (28 °C / 82 °F), the Caribbean (26 to 27 °C / 79 to 81 °F), Goa, Malaysia, Madagascar and Tanzania exceed 21 °C (70 °F). In the Mediterranean, the water does not exceed 18 °C (64 °F) in April.
Where can you swim in May in the Mediterranean?
Antalya, in Turkey, is the only Mediterranean destination on our list to reach 21 °C (70 °F) in May. Elsewhere, the water is around 16 to 20 °C (61 to 68 °F) (Paphos, in Cyprus, reaches 20 °C / 68 °F).
From when can you swim in the Mediterranean?
In Crete, Malta, Cyprus and Split, the water reaches 21 °C (70 °F) in June; in Corsica and Tuscany, in July. It stays above this threshold until September, or even October in the eastern Mediterranean.
Where can you swim in winter?
In the Caribbean (Guadeloupe, Martinique: 25 to 27 °C / 77 to 81 °F), Goa, Malaysia, Madagascar, the Tanzanian coast or Cuba. In the Mediterranean and the European Atlantic, no sea on our list reaches 21 °C (70 °F) in winter.
Where do these water temperatures come from?
From the climate tables (Klimatafeln) of the Deutscher Wetterdienst, the German weather service, reproduced and sourced on each of our when-to-go pages. We publish no figure without an official source.
Our sources
- Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Klimatafeln: average sea temperature for each station in the table, as published and sourced on our when-to-go pages (our pages read on 15 October 2026)
- Destination de Voyage calculation: 21 °C threshold, number of months above the threshold, grouping by geographic zone
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.