What to wear to the beach when it's too cold to swim (2024)

FAQs

What to wear to the beach when it's too cold to swim? ›

Linen pants are perfect for spring days at the beach when it's still too cold to swim. Linen will be breezy enough to keep you cool if the sun gets warm, even if the water is too cold. Throw on a long sleeve and a light jacket or cardigan to complete the look: you'll be laid back and comfy, but still stylish AF.

Start with a sweatshirt or long sleeve tee as your base layer and throw on a zip-up pullover, windbreaker, or quilted jacket. Knit accessories are also a great way to keep warm in fluctuating beach temperatures.

And swimming in frigid water can be downright dangerous, not to mention unpleasant. For safety's sake, most swimmers should wait until the water temperature reaches at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the best water temperature for swimming in the ocean? There's no real optimal temperature, but many people feel “comfortable” swimming in water that is 70° to 78° Fahrenheit.

You can wear jeans to the beach if you don't have a bathing suit. They will cover your legs and provide some sun protection. You can pair them with a t-shirt or tank top. If it's a little cooler, you can also wear a light sweater or jacket over your t-shirt.

Layering is Great

For instance, a tank top with a sweater, sweatshirt, or hoodie will allow you to keep warm if cold or cool off if overheated. Additionally, make sure to pack a waterproof layer, or jacket, just in case.

According to the National Center for Cold Water Safety, water temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit should be treated with caution. Water temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit makes it difficult to control your breathing, and anything lower than 40 degrees is painfully cold.

Cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous from water temperatures of 50-60F (10-15C) as it is from water at 35F (2C). Gasping for a breath or rapid breathing from sudden immersion can be triggered by water as warm as 77F (25C).

70 Degrees - 60 Degrees

Your breathing will be harder to maintain in this temperature, and you won't be able to hold your breath nearly as long as you would otherwise. You may not think you'll need it, but a good wetsuit will go a long way toward keeping you swimming in this kind of water.

You can enjoy it but not endlessly. Even just 30 minutes might feel like a long time at 65°F. Mid-70s and up to about 83°F feels cool to the touch when you get in but you can acclimate fairly quickly and swim or play for hours without teeth chattering. Above 85°F or so, the water may even feel a bit warm getting in.

Is 75 degree water too cold to swim? ›

Per the National Center for Cold Water Safety, you should generally avoid swimming in water below 77 degrees Fahrenheit because anything colder than that can start to affect your ability to breathe.

Water has much greater density than air, it immediately destroys most of the insulation provided by your clothing, and it also conducts heat away from your body much faster than air.

An open-knit or crochet sweater is exactly what you need to wear on a cold day at the beach: it'll keep you nice and cozy without being too cozy. Throw on a tank top underneath and pair it with your linen pants or a pair of shorts, if the weather is right.

At ocean beaches, avoid swimming during heavy rain, and for at least one day after. At estuaries and inland waterways, avoid swimming for up to three days after heavy rain.

Failing to rinse off can lead to burns or rashes from skin rubbing against sand and getting irritated. In the extremes of cases, open wounds can become infected, leading to extreme diseases or discomfort.

It's cozy.

After our kids went to college, Joe and I often spent long weekends at the beach in the winter. We found that it's much easier to take long walks in the winter without zig-zagging through beach umbrellas and chairs. And without stepping on people.

Key Takeaways. Light-colored clothes are traditionally thought to reflect solar heat away, keeping you cooler in hot weather, compared to dark fabrics which absorb more heat.

The risks of swimming with a cold

During the first 3 days of your cold, it's in its most infectious state. So, even though you technically could go for a swim, it is hardly a responsible act. When you're feeling under the weather and generally unwell, doing exercise might just not feel right.