Water temperature in Richards Bay
Sea surface temperature · updated today, Thursday, October 29, at 8:50 am (GMT+2)- Today
- 74.8–75.6 °F
- Air today
- 62 / 75 °F
- Wed 4
- 77.1 °F
- Wetsuit
- Rash guard or top
Today the water in Richards Bay is 75.0 °F and ranges 74.8–75.6 °F through the day, with the air between 62 °F and 75 °F. It warms over the next few days: about 77.1 °F by Wednesday 4.
The water over the next few days
- Today
- Fri 30
- Sat 31
- Sun 1
- Mon 2
- Tue 3
- Wed 4
- Thu 5
- Fri 6
- Sat 7
Water over the last 60 days
Over these days it has risen 3.8 °F (from August 30).
Daily average and its range (low and high). The dotted line is the forecast.
Water temperature by month vs. normal
The water off Richards Bay is warmer than normal for late October today (+2.0 °F).
- 78.6° 79°JanJ
- 79.6° 80°FebF
- 79.3° 79°MarM
- 77.7° 78°AprA
- 75.5° 75°MayM
- 73.2° 73°JunJ
- 71.5° 72°JulJ
- 70.8° 71°AugA
- 71.1° 71°SepS
- 72.2° 72°OctO
- 74.3° 74°NovN
- 76.3° 76°DecD
- Monthly normal
- Today
In Richards Bay the water is pleasant year-round: 70.8–79.6 °F on average, depending on the month.
The water is warmest in February (79.6 °F on average) and coldest in August (70.8 °F).
Monthly averages for 1991–2020 (NOAA OISST, from satellites and buoys; nearest data point 6.9 mi away). Right by the shore, the water can be a little colder or warmer. Sources and licenses
Water and air, day by day
| Day | Water | Air | Max wave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 74.8–75.6 °F | 62 / 75 °F | 5.3 ft |
| Fri 30 | 75.2–75.7 °F | 59 / 82 °F | 5.2 ft |
| Sat 31 | 75.4–75.9 °F | 65 / 86 °F | 5.4 ft |
| Sun 1 | 75.2–76.1 °F | 68 / 89 °F | 4.6 ft |
| Mon 2 | 75.7–76.6 °F | 70 / 77 °F | 4.8 ft |
| Tue 3 | 76.1–77.2 °F | 70 / 88 °F | 4.8 ft |
| Wed 4 | 76.6–77.5 °F | 71 / 85 °F | 4.1 ft |
Which wetsuit to wear
| Water | Wetsuit | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| < 52 °F | 6/5 mm with hood, booties and gloves | Very cold: full kit only |
| 52°–57 °F | 5/4 mm with booties | Cold: takes your breath away |
| 57°–63 °F | 4/3 mm | Cool |
| 63°–66 °F | 3/2 mm | Mild |
| 66°–72 °F | Shorty (springsuit) | Pleasant |
| 72°–75 °F | Rash guard or top | Very pleasant |
| > 75 °F | No wetsuit | Warm |
A rough guide: it depends on the wind, how long you stay in and each person.
Fish are cold-blooded: the water sets their activity. Sudden temperature changes usually put them off the bite; with steady water, activity is more regular.
Previous days
The water over the last 60 days.
| Day | Water | Low / high |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 28 | 74.8 °F | 74.5–75.2 °F |
| Tue 27 | 75.6 °F | 75.2–75.7 °F |
| Mon 26 | 75.4 °F | 75.0–75.6 °F |
| Sun 25 | 75.2 °F | 74.7–75.7 °F |
| Sat 24 | 74.7 °F | 74.3–75.0 °F |
| Fri 23 | 74.7 °F | 74.5–74.8 °F |
| Thu 22 | 75.2 °F | 75.0–75.4 °F |
Show all 60 days
| Day | Water | Low / high |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 21 | 75.2 °F | 74.7–75.6 °F |
| Tue 20 | 75.6 °F | 75.2–76.1 °F |
| Mon 19 | 76.8 °F | 76.3–77.2 °F |
| Sun 18 | 76.8 °F | 76.5–77.0 °F |
| Sat 17 | 76.6 °F | 76.1–77.0 °F |
| Fri 16 | 76.5 °F | 76.1–77.0 °F |
| Thu 15 | 76.1 °F | 75.4–76.6 °F |
| Wed 14 | 75.7 °F | 75.4–76.1 °F |
| Tue 13 | 75.2 °F | 74.8–75.6 °F |
| Mon 12 | 75.4 °F | 75.0–75.7 °F |
| Sun 11 | 75.4 °F | 74.8–75.7 °F |
| Sat 10 | 74.8 °F | 74.3–75.2 °F |
| Fri 9 | 74.3 °F | 73.8–75.0 °F |
| Thu 8 | 73.6 °F | 73.0–73.9 °F |
| Wed 7 | 73.6 °F | 73.2–73.9 °F |
| Tue 6 | 73.4 °F | 72.9–73.9 °F |
| Mon 5 | 72.9 °F | 72.3–73.4 °F |
| Sun 4 | 72.7 °F | 72.3–72.9 °F |
| Sat 3 | 72.3 °F | 72.0–72.9 °F |
| Fri 2 | 71.6 °F | 71.2–72.1 °F |
| Thu 1 | 71.1 °F | 70.7–71.4 °F |
| Wed 30 | 70.9 °F | 70.5–71.1 °F |
| Tue 29 | 71.4 °F | 71.1–72.0 °F |
| Mon 28 | 72.9 °F | 72.1–73.8 °F |
| Sun 27 | 73.9 °F | 73.8–74.3 °F |
| Sat 26 | 73.9 °F | 73.8–74.1 °F |
| Fri 25 | 73.6 °F | 73.0–73.9 °F |
| Thu 24 | 73.0 °F | 72.7–73.2 °F |
| Wed 23 | 72.5 °F | 72.0–72.9 °F |
| Tue 22 | 72.3 °F | 71.8–72.7 °F |
| Mon 21 | 71.8 °F | 71.2–72.5 °F |
| Sun 20 | 70.9 °F | 70.5–71.2 °F |
| Sat 19 | 70.7 °F | 70.5–70.7 °F |
| Fri 18 | 71.1 °F | 70.7–71.6 °F |
| Thu 17 | 72.1 °F | 71.6–72.7 °F |
| Wed 16 | 72.9 °F | 72.3–73.2 °F |
| Tue 15 | 72.9 °F | 72.5–73.0 °F |
| Mon 14 | 72.9 °F | 72.7–73.0 °F |
| Sun 13 | 72.7 °F | 72.3–72.9 °F |
| Sat 12 | 72.3 °F | 72.0–72.7 °F |
| Fri 11 | 72.1 °F | 71.8–72.3 °F |
| Thu 10 | 71.8 °F | 71.4–72.1 °F |
| Wed 9 | 71.6 °F | 71.2–72.0 °F |
| Tue 8 | 71.4 °F | 71.1–71.6 °F |
| Mon 7 | 71.2 °F | 70.9–71.4 °F |
| Sun 6 | 71.2 °F | 71.1–71.2 °F |
| Sat 5 | 71.4 °F | 71.1–71.6 °F |
| Fri 4 | 72.0 °F | 71.6–72.3 °F |
| Thu 3 | 72.3 °F | 72.0–72.7 °F |
| Wed 2 | 72.1 °F | 71.6–72.5 °F |
| Tue 1 | 71.8 °F | 71.2–72.1 °F |
| Mon 31 | 71.2 °F | 71.1–71.6 °F |
| Sun 30 | 71.1 °F | 70.9–71.2 °F |
It's the daily analysis from Météo-France / Copernicus Marine (satellites, buoys and model), not a buoy reading at this spot.
Questions about the water in Richards BayQuestions
What's the water temperature today in Richards Bay?
75.0 °F; through the day it ranges 74.8–75.6 °F.
Will the water get warmer or colder?
It warms over the next few days: about 77.1 °F by Wednesday 4.
Which wetsuit do I need today?
With the water as it is today, rash guard or top (very pleasant). It's a rough guide: it depends on the wind and each person.
How warm is the water in Richards Bay in October?
In October, the water in Richards Bay averages 72.2 °F (1991–2020). For a long swim: rash guard or top (very pleasant).
How warm is the water in Richards Bay in February?
In February, the water in Richards Bay averages 79.6 °F (1991–2020), the warmest of the year. For a long swim: no wetsuit (warm).
When is the best time to swim in Richards Bay?
In Richards Bay the water is pleasant year-round: 70.8–79.6 °F on average, depending on the month. The water is warmest in February (79.6 °F on average) and coldest in August (70.8 °F).
Is the water warmer or colder than normal?
The water off Richards Bay is warmer than normal for late October today (+2.0 °F).
More about Richards Bay today
Water temperature near Richards Bay
- Mtunzini 73.9 °F · 21 mi
- Saint Lucia 76.8 °F · 36 mi
- Shakaskraal 73.9 °F · 68 mi
- Tongaat 73.9 °F · 78 mi
- La Mercy 73.9 °F · 81 mi
- EMdloti 73.9 °F · 82 mi
Only places with a different forecast: spots a few miles apart share the same model cell and wouldn't add anything.
Learn more
Sea surface temperature: Open-Meteo with Météo-France / Copernicus Marine, CC BY 4.0; grid point 6.4 mi away. Near the shore, in coves and estuaries, the water can be a little colder or warmer.
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 8:50 am (local time).
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