Senegal — Sea Water Temperature and Annual Ranges
Up-to-date sea water temperatures for the coasts of Senegal. Learn about today’s conditions, monthly averages, and how the surrounding seas and oceans vary by season. We find every place where you can swim and show you the water temperature there today and throughout the year.
Sea Water Temperature Along the Coast
Chart of Average Temperature Changes Over the Last 60 Days
Places with the Warmest Sea Water Today
The Most Popular Seaside Places
Coastal Seas and Oceans
Water Temperature and Swimming Overview
Regions and Map
Water Temperature Trends
Senegal’s Atlantic coast offers generally warm water most of the year, though temperatures vary with season and location. Along the northern and central shoreline, influenced by coastal upwelling and the Canary Current, sea surface temperatures typically range from about 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) in the cooler months of December to February, rising to roughly 24–27 °C (75–81 °F) in spring and early summer. During the main rainy and warmer season, from June through October, waters along much of the coast commonly reach 25–28 °C (77–82 °F), and the more sheltered southern areas around Casamance can be even warmer, occasionally approaching 28–29 °C (82–84 °F). These figures reflect averages; local conditions, tides and wind can shift temperatures by a degree or two.
Swimming Conditions
Swimming is widely permitted and popular on Senegal’s beaches, both for residents and visitors, because the temperatures are comfortable for most of the year. Beach safety varies: many tourist beaches are regularly used and sometimes monitored, but strong currents, rip tides and seasonal surf can pose hazards, so attention to local warnings and experienced guidance is advisable. Water quality can be reduced near urban runoff or river mouths, so choosing well-maintained or recommended beaches is sensible. In cooler months, some swimmers prefer short wetsuits, while in the warm season swimming without thermal protection is generally comfortable. Recreational activities such as snorkeling, surfing and kitesurfing are also common where conditions permit.