Santa Barbara — Water Temperature in May

Water Temperature Range

11°C

minimum

14°C

average

17°C

maximum

Get instant access to real-time water temperatures for this and all other locations with our iOS and Android apps.

Water Temperature Chart for Month

The chart shows the average daily water temperature for each day of the month based on historical data.

Table of Water Temperatures by Day of the Month for Previous Years

Day	2026	2025	2024	2023
MAY 1	-10°C	15°C	13°C	14°C
MAY 2	15°C	14°C	13°C	13°C
MAY 3	15°C	13°C	13°C	14°C
MAY 4	16°C	13°C	13°C	14°C
MAY 5	15°C	14°C	14°C	15°C
MAY 6	15°C	14°C	13°C	15°C
MAY 7	15°C	14°C	14°C	15°C
MAY 8	15°C	14°C	14°C	15°C
MAY 9	15°C	15°C	15°C	16°C
MAY 10	15°C	15°C	15°C	15°C
MAY 11	15°C	14°C	15°C	15°C
MAY 12	15°C	15°C	15°C	16°C
MAY 13	15°C	14°C	14°C	16°C
MAY 14	16°C	14°C	14°C	16°C
MAY 15	16°C	15°C	13°C	16°C
MAY 16	16°C	14°C	13°C	17°C
MAY 17	16°C	15°C	13°C	16°C
MAY 18	16°C	14°C	13°C	17°C
MAY 19	16°C	15°C	14°C	16°C
MAY 20	16°C	15°C	14°C	16°C
MAY 21	16°C	15°C	16°C	15°C
MAY 22	16°C	15°C	15°C	15°C
MAY 23	16°C	15°C	15°C	15°C
MAY 24	16°C	15°C	15°C	15°C
MAY 25	16°C	15°C	15°C	15°C
MAY 26	16°C	15°C	14°C	15°C
MAY 27	16°C	15°C	15°C	15°C
MAY 28	15°C	15°C	15°C	14°C
MAY 29	15°C	15°C	15°C	15°C
MAY 30	15°C	15°C	15°C	14°C
MAY 31	15°C	15°C	15°C	15°C

May: Climate and Swimming Opportunities

Average Night Air Temperature

11°C

Average Day Air Temperature

22°C

Precipitation Amount per Month

9 mm

Number of Rainy Days

Daylight per Day

14 hrs

Sunshine per Day

10 hrs

Average Wind Speed

15 km/h

Average Humidity

71%

With such a ratio between the average monthly temperatures of water and air, swimming feels very cold and is only for cold-water enthusiasts. Most people will prefer just a brief splash, because warming up afterward can take time.