Beach Water

[Joe_Ryder]

The very warm Gulf stream heads from the equator straight up the coast and at about Cape Hatteras (NC) it shoots across the Atlantic. The water down the southeastern shore of the US and the Gulf of Mexico is always warm. Many people think of warm sunny beaches in Los Angeles but don't realize that the water on the Pacific coast comes from the Arctic and it's cold. Yes it's about the same all year as well. The west coast surfers aren't wearing wetsuits as fashion. They are simply retaining body heat so they don't pass out from the 45 degree water.

As a kid in Texas, we would swim in the gulf in January. You'd be fine as long as you stayed in the water but you'd freeze your butt off as soon as you got out.

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by eufo

Ok, you're officially insane!

That's the rumor....


I was in California for the first time last August. I was finally able to stick my toes in the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my life. I walked in expecting it to be somewhat warm, I mean C'mon it's California for crying outloud.... not so much. So dissapointed I was, it was cold as hell. Relatively speaking of course.

[Tony from Europe]

Miami water is warm but has moreeeeeeeeeeeeee sharks than CA.Huriccanes and insects.woooooo.CA is to me prettier and gentle country !

[illini84]

I just swam in the ocean near South Beach last week. A fair amount of people were in the water. It wasn't necessarily warm, but it wasn't too cold to be in either. It was comfortable--you should be fine! Enjoy!