What is the water temperature in early March?

[jacank]

I'm making my list and checking it twice (no, I'm not Santa).. and 2/27 is coming up fast. DH is talking about taking a cab to a public beach in St. Thomas, and maybe St. Kitts too, and going snorkling. I'm not really fond of cold water. How is the water temperature this time of year? Also, what is the average air temp.? (I'm becoming soooo addicted to these boards and you folks are chock full of information.. thanks so much!)

[grannynurse]

we had cooler than normal weather both in Florida and the islands. 42 degrees in Orlando and 55-65 in the islands, needless to say the water was not too warm.

This has been a very unusual year. The warmest weather we found during the 11 days was in Santo Domingo where it was 82.

I'm not sure what you will find this year.
GN

[jhannah]

There is a site that provides ocean surface temperature data. Click here (http://www.oceanweather.com/data/Caribbean-Sea/SST.GIF).

[Krazy Kruizers]

This has been a strange winter for the Caribbean - cooler than normal.

The waters may still be cool in March.

[jhannah]

Let's just hope next year isn't warmer than normal, thus fueling another string of hurricanes!

[Pete Jackson]

There is a site that provides ocean surface temperature data. Click here (http://www.oceanweather.com/data/Caribbean-Sea/SST.GIF).

Great site, jhannah. Thanks for pointing it out.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I think it is intersting that is seems to get cooler near land. It looks down right cold at HMC:( Even Grand Caymans does not look to warm, I certainly hope it wars up in 4 weeks. I plan to swim with with Stingrays but being a desert rat I am not fond of cool water temps.. I like my swimming water to be just slightly cool downed bath water.:D

[jacank]

I'm with you, Lafnvegas. Cooled bath water is about my speed. Those temps sure look cold to me. Maybe we should just forget dragging all that snorkling gear along. I'm not excited or anything <grin>..just finished packing and not going for two more weeks.. but now I'm thinking I might have packed the wrong clothes. Those temperatures sound more like spring than summer. Thanks for that water temperature site. I can always count on great information from these boards.

[ruthiegirl]

We just got back from (2/13) from our eastern carribean cruise on the Westerdam. We were at St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay Island, both times the water, for me anyway, was too cold to go in, my husband was braver and went in. The beach was great to lay out and get a great tan and the sun felt good but I sure would have liked to taken a dip without getting too many goosebumps if you know what I mean.

[jeffanddawn]

i think its all relative... for those of us in connecticut where the ocean temps only reach 70 degrees in the summer... i don't think 75 degrees at HMC would be too chilly. its certainly much better than we ever get up here ... the rest of our cruise (2/27 Maasdam) is much further south and the ocean temps look to be near 80 degrees for all other ports http://www.oceanweather.com/data/Caribbean-Sea/SST.GIF

[JDee]

ST THOMAS WATER TEMPS:

"Water temperatures in the Virgin Islands do not change greatly from summer to winter. However, the 4 to 5 degree change is noticeable to those acclimated to cosistently warm tropical weather. In the summer months, the water temperature is about 83 degrees and in the winter about 79 degrees."

Quote take from www.********** (http://www.**********/)

That site also has lots good info for visitors. Couldn't find anything on St. Kitts.

Happy cruising....

[Time2sail]

Do you have a wet suit? I wish I had brought mine on several trips when the water was so cold it took my breath. Blue is not a good skin tone!

[mjmagee]

We just returned from the Zuiderdam eastern caribbean. Water temp at Half Moon Cay and St. John and Tortola all felt about the same. Maybe a smidge warmer at Tortola. Anyway the ship said it was water temp 75.2. We are from Florida and I told DH it felt like it does when we first go in the gulf in March. Those folks from up north said it felt great. We did snorkle and paddled about with our noodles but we got shivery after about 45 minutes. Marilyn PS: the water in the pools on the ship felt the same.

[JDee]

Clearwater Beach temp yesterday was 63. My pool temp was 65...BRRRR.