If you’ve ever stood on the edge of the Atlantic at Edwards Boulevard in mid-June, you know the feeling. The air is a perfect 80 degrees, the boardwalk is humming, and you’re ready to dive in. Then your toes hit the water. It’s a shock. Honestly, it feels like an ice bath compared to what your brain expected.
That’s the thing about the water temp in long beach ny. It doesn't follow the air temperature. Not even close. While the "City by the Sea" has some of the best surfing and swimming on the East Coast, the ocean here is a fickle beast. If you're planning a trip or a morning paddle, understanding the thermal lag of the Atlantic is the difference between a great day and a literal case of hypothermia.
The Reality of the Seasonal Lag
Most people think July is the best time for a dip. In reality, the ocean is often still "waking up" then. The Atlantic is deep and moves a lot of volume. It takes forever to warm up.
Basically, the water temperature peaks way later than the heat of the sun. You’ll find the warmest water temp in long beach ny in late August or even early September. By then, the surface has spent three months soaking up solar radiation. It’s not uncommon to see 73°F or even 75°F in the surf zone during the first week of September, even as the evening air starts to get that crisp fall bite.
Compare that to June. The air is hot, but the water is often hovering in the low 60s. That is "refreshing" if you're brave, but "painful" if you're not used to it.
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A Quick Breakdown of What to Expect
Let’s look at the rough averages, keeping in mind that a big storm can flip these numbers overnight.
- January & February: It’s brutal. We’re talking 37°F to 40°F. This is polar bear plunge territory.
- March & April: The water is actually at its absolute coldest right around the beginning of March. Even as the flowers bloom in April, the water stays around 44°F.
- May: You might see 52°F. Still strictly wetsuit season for anyone but the most hardened locals.
- June: Climbing into the 60s. This is when the surfers start ditching the hoods but keep the full suits.
- July: Usually 68°F to 71°F. Comfortable for a quick swim.
- August: The sweet spot. 72°F to 74°F is the norm.
- September: Surprisingly warm. It stays in the 70s for the first half of the month.
- October: The big drop begins, falling back toward 60°F.
Why the Water Suddenly Turns Cold in Summer
Have you ever been at the beach on a scorching July day and noticed the water feels ten degrees colder than it did the day before? It’s not your imagination. It’s a phenomenon called upwelling.
Here is how it works. When we get a steady, strong wind blowing from the South or Southwest—which happens a lot in Long Beach—it pushes the warm surface water away from the shore. To fill that gap, the deep, icy water from the bottom of the ocean rises up to the surface.
You can literally watch the thermometer drop from 70°F to 60°F in twenty-four hours because of the wind. Surfers hate it. Tourists are baffled by it. But it's just how the South Shore of Long Island operates. If you see a hard "offshore" wind or a steady Southwesterly breeze, pack a thicker suit.
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Safety and the Cold Water Shock
We need to talk about the "shoulder" seasons. May and October are beautiful in Long Beach, but the water is deceptive.
Cold water shock is a real thing. When you jump into water below 60°F, your body has an involuntary gasp reflex. If your head is underwater when that happens, you’re in trouble. Even if you're a strong swimmer, the water temp in long beach ny in the spring can sap your energy in minutes.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA data, many drownings on Long Island happen in the spring when the air is 80°F but the water is 55°F. People underestimate the physical toll of that temperature gap.
The Best Gear for Every Month
If you want to be in the water year-round, you've gotta invest. You can’t just wing it.
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- Summer (July–Sept): Board shorts and a rash guard are fine. Some folks like a 1mm or 2mm "shorty" wetsuit if the upwelling is acting up.
- Fall (Oct–Nov): A 3/2mm full suit is the standard. As you get into November, you'll start wanting 3mm booties.
- Winter (Dec–March): This is the heavy lifting. You need a 5/4mm or a 6/5mm hooded wetsuit. Don't forget 5mm or 7mm booties and gloves. Without them, your hands will go numb in about ten minutes.
- Spring (April–June): This is the trickiest time. You might still need your 4/3mm suit even when the sun is out and people are tanning on the sand.
Where to Get Real-Time Data
Don't trust the generic weather app on your phone for sea stats. They are often "modeling" the temp rather than measuring it.
For the most accurate water temp in long beach ny, look at the NOAA buoy 44065 (Entrance to NY Harbor) or the Montauk buoy if you want to see what's heading our way. The City of Long Beach also monitors water quality and temp at various stations along the beach, especially during the official season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Check the local surf shops like Maritime or Unsound. Those guys are in the water every single day. They know exactly how it feels without even looking at a chart. Honestly, just asking a local surfer "how's the water?" is usually more accurate than a satellite reading.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the wind direction: If it’s been blowing from the South/Southwest for two days, expect the water to be colder than the average due to upwelling.
- Wait for August: If you’re a "warm water only" person, plan your vacation for the last two weeks of August to catch the annual temperature peak.
- Respect the flags: Long Beach lifeguards are pros. If they have the "no swimming" flags up, it’s often because of rip currents that are strengthened by the same tidal movements that shift water temps.
- Get a thermometer: If you’re a regular, a cheap digital pool thermometer you can dip from the shoreline is a game changer for your morning routine.
The Atlantic doesn't care about your plans. It moves on its own timeline. But if you know the patterns, you can make the most of those Long Beach waves without getting the "ice cream headache" of a lifetime.