By Kai Lani | WAHA Surf Shop
What you wear surfing depends almost entirely on one thing: water temperature. Get it right and you can surf for hours. Get it wrong and you are shivering after twenty minutes or overheating in a wetsuit you did not need. Here is a straightforward breakdown so you know exactly what to grab before you head out.
It Depends on Water Temperature
Air temperature matters less than you think. The water is what sucks heat from your body, and you are submerged in it for most of your session. A sunny 65-degree day can feel warm on the beach but the water might be 55 degrees, which is cold enough to need a full wetsuit.
Always check water temperature before your session. NOAA provides real-time ocean temperature data for most coastlines. Local surf reports and apps like Surfline also list current water temps.
| Water Temp | What to Wear | Accessories |
|---|---|---|
| 75F+ (24C+) | Boardshorts or bikini | Rash guard (optional, for sun) |
| 70-75F (21-24C) | Boardshorts + rash guard or spring suit | None needed |
| 62-70F (17-21C) | Spring suit (2mm) or shorty wetsuit | None needed |
| 56-62F (13-17C) | Full wetsuit 3/2mm | Booties optional |
| 50-56F (10-13C) | Full wetsuit 4/3mm | Booties recommended |
| Below 50F (10C) | Full wetsuit 5/4mm or 6/5mm | Hood, gloves, booties mandatory |
Warm Water: 70F and Above
If you are surfing in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Indonesia, or anywhere tropical, count yourself lucky. Warm water surfing means minimal gear and maximum freedom of movement.
- Boardshorts or a swimsuit: All you really need. Pick something that stays put during wipeouts. Drawstring waistbands are your friend.
- Rash guard: Not for warmth but for sun protection and to prevent board rash on your chest and stomach from lying on the wax. A long-sleeve rash guard with UPF 50+ is worth it for long sessions.
- Reef shoes: If you are surfing over rocky or coral bottoms, thin reef shoes protect your feet getting in and out. Not needed for sandy breaks.
For a deeper look at the rash guard question, our wetsuit vs rash guard comparison breaks down when each option makes sense.
Mild Water: 60 to 70F
This is the range where many popular surf spots sit for most of the year. Southern California, Northern Spain, Portugal in summer, parts of Australia. Cool enough that bare skin gets uncomfortable after a while, but warm enough that a thin suit handles it.
- Spring suit (2mm): Short arms and short legs, covers your core. Perfect for this temperature range on warm days.
- Shorty wetsuit: Similar to a spring suit but sometimes with slightly more coverage. Good for sessions longer than an hour.
- Full 2mm suit: If you run cold or the session will be long, a full-length 2mm suit gives you a bit more coverage without feeling restrictive.
Cold Water: 50 to 60F
Now we are talking serious neoprene. Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, most of the UK and Ireland, New England. These waters will drain your body heat fast without proper protection.
- 3/2mm full wetsuit: The 3mm thickness is in the torso and the 2mm in the arms and legs. This is the most common wetsuit configuration worldwide. Works well for the upper end of this range (56 to 62F).
- 4/3mm full wetsuit: Thicker neoprene for the lower end (50 to 56F). The difference between a 3/2 and 4/3 is real. You will feel it on a cold morning. Our 3/2 vs 4/3 wetsuit guide covers this choice in detail.
- Booties: Your feet lose heat fast in cold water, and numb feet make balance and board feel difficult. Booties in the 3mm to 5mm range keep your feet functional.
Very Cold Water: Below 50F
If you are surfing in water this cold, you already know it is serious. Iceland, Norway, Canada, the Great Lakes in winter, parts of New England in deep winter. This is the domain of thick rubber and full accessories.
- 5/4mm or 6/5mm wetsuit: Maximum thickness for maximum warmth. Look for suits with sealed seams and minimal water entry points.
- Hood: You lose a huge percentage of body heat through your head. A hood is not optional in sub-50 water. Most come attached to the wetsuit or as a separate piece that tucks in.
- Gloves: 3mm to 5mm neoprene gloves. They reduce your grip and feel, but frozen hands are worse. Split-finger or mitten styles available depending on preference.
- Booties: 5mm to 7mm for these temperatures. Split-toe or round-toe, both work. Split-toe gives slightly better board feel.
Cold water surfing is a different experience. The sessions are shorter, the prep is longer, and the post-surf hot coffee tastes better than anything you have ever had. But the waves are often empty, and there is something deeply satisfying about surfing when most people would not even put a toe in.
For more detail on picking the right wetsuit for your needs, browse our full wetsuit guide. And if you are a complete beginner still figuring out all the gear you need, the cost breakdown covers everything from boards to accessories.