Where is the warm winter water?

[tuffr2]

I am in Florida in the US. I just spent a few days in the Florida Keys. I was a bit suprised by how chilly the water was.

So, how much further south do I need to go to find warm water? How is the water in the Bahamas in Dec, Jan and Feb?

I would like to jump in and swim and not be chilled. No wet suit.

[Island Time O25]

It's chilly by FL standards not by New England's.

I've been coming down to So. Fl. around this time of the year for the past 15-20 years. Celebrated New Year there for least 10 of those. Only once was the water "too chilly" to swim in. That was back in the early 2000s when they had to cancel a X-mas parade in Palm Beach because the air temps were forecasted to be in the low 50s. They even opened up emergency shelters for those without the heating systems in their houses. Obviously I did not go into the water that particular weekend. Other than that the water was usually fine for swimming in the WPB to SoBe portion of FL. Not always balmy but always warmer the the warmest water during the Summer in New England. And I'd assume in Key West it's even warmer.

[pete33458]

Well first of all, most of the Bahamas isn't really south of the keys. But anyway, it's something about the lower Keys. I've experienced that too. Maybe the stream is further offshore or the eddies are cold. Most SoFL C-MAN buoys are showing water temps of 77-79oF, not exactly cold...

But the Bahamas, in general, are warmer, due to the enormous shallow bank.

Pete

[sck5]

We spent last winter in the Bahamas and were never impressed with how warm the water was. Seemed more or less like Florida. Here in Grenada it is plenty warm!

[zeehag]

check passage weather for sst....

[belizesailor]

Here ya go:

http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/sst/contour/

[knotstogo]

I am cold below 80F/27C, so I understand your plight and empathize fully.

Here are some graphical tools for sea surface temperature:


NCEP SST Analysis

Ocean Prediction Center - NCOM Model Ocean SST in Gulf Stream Region

http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/sst/ima...ib_GoesSST.gif


With that data I can tell you that the Solomon Islands are probably the safe bet, though my flippers get sore after the first nautical mile.

[Hudson Force]

I agree it is way to cold for swimming in South Florida or the Bahamas in winter. I grew up in Fort Lauderdale and only the crazy tourists would swim in the winter.

We were trained early to be pansies. Our schools were cancelled if the high temperature for the day was not forecast to reach at least 60*F! 'no heaters in the schools back in the 1950's.

[keepondancin]

Winter is Winter in the Northern Hemisphere!

[Saleen411]

Why I'm heading to OZ in a few days. My testicles abhor chilly water......

[zeehag]

northern hemisphere warmer water--- for southern, should be summer there, so, hopefully kinda warmish....

[Mithril Bham]

BVI
or you could come swimming in the San Juans in the summer. After that anywhere will be warm.

[hobopacket]

Was just snorkeling around palm beach a couple days ago! Feels great if air temps are in the 80's.

Have to go down to the vi's or south to get summer like water temps. But who likes to swim in bath water.

[Saleen411]

But who likes to swim in bath water.

ME!....and my "boys" of course.

[doublewide]

you need to get to the latitude of St Thomas/Puerto Rico or further south to have truly warm water in the winter.