"How Cold is It?" What is the Water Temperature in Berkeley?

Berkeley Water Temp.png

Have you ever talked to someone about your interest in open water swimming who’s never been? If you have, you’ve likely heard, “isn’t it cold?!” And sometimes, the answer is “yes!”

As you know, the temperature in the water can differ from spot to spot in the East Bay. Many new swimmers are surprised how much warmer the water is at our spot in Berkeley than it is in San Francisco. There are many days where the water in Berkeley is 10°F warmer than in San Francisco, though it’s only eight miles across the Bay.

Why is Water Often Much Warmer in Berkeley than San Francisco?

This is true for several reasons:

  • Ocean water is always colder than Bay water, and on a flood (incoming) tide, the water rushing past the shore in SF was out in the ocean just an hour earlier. The water in Berkeley has flowed in from San Francisco and circulated around the Bay.

  • The water in Berkeley is much shallower, making it quicker to heat up. The deepest it ever gets during our Berkeley swims is about 12 feet, compared to under the Golden Gate, which is 372 feet deep! 

  • The weather is often warmer and sunnier in Berkeley. Warm and sunny weather leads to the surface of the water being heated, though you’ll notice a big drop in temp if you dive down a few feet! In fact, the warm air and sunshine often heat the water 2°F over the course of the day, which is why it’s nice and warm for our Tuesday night swims.

Berkeley Marina Swim Temps (2).png

The water temperature varies a lot over the course of the year. We usually hit a low spot around 50°F around the beginning of the calendar year, and then a high of around 72°F in August or September. The changes in SF are similar, though it is rare for it to be warmer than 65°F. The chart below shows the temperatures at our Sunday swims throughout 2019. Of course it changes some one year to the next, but this should give you an idea of what to expect.

Want a more up to date estimate on water temps? Stay tuned for a blog post on some of our favorite mobile apps with tides, currents, and water temperatures!

Warren WallaceOpen water swimming, open water, open water swim, swimming, wild swimming, berkeley, berkeley swim, san francisco swim, berkeley water temperature, San francisco water temperature