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I have been reading the Relocation Message Board. There is a post about the cool evening weather we have been experiencing. Then ocean water temperature started to be discussed. Some are claiming it is cool (low to mid 70s) others are claiming warm (high 70s to low 80s).
I clicked on the wunderground(sp) link and it says the water temperature is 79 degrees. I would find that temperature to be nice and would go in the water, but I do not go swimming in the ocean this time of the year because I think it way too cold.
Is there anyone out there with the actual temperature of the waters? Maybe a scuba diver? Or avid swimmer?
Does anyone know how one can take an accurate temperature of the ocean's waters, without any fancy devices?
Posted : February 2, 2012 4:24 pm
The temp varies widely by location and depth. The surf zone, where most people hang out, is almost always warmer than the surrounding surface temp, which is warmer than any temps at depth.
You can always check the realtime harbor temps by clicking here:
Posted : February 2, 2012 4:34 pm
It's been between 78-83 the past month or so. These measurement are from my dive computer--from the west end, to north Shore to Christiansted. It takes a large drop in air temperature to significantly lower the water temperature. That is why I posted on the vacation message board that I doubted the water temps would sink to the low 70's in the VI.
Posted : February 2, 2012 5:31 pm
Temp was 78F down to 50ft when I went diving last week at salt river. Pretty much the chilliest it gets all year... and still not that bad. Pool temps on the other hand are around 75F in the morning.
Posted : February 2, 2012 8:12 pm
Topic starter
Thank you for the information.
It sounds warm, but I don't go swimming in the ocean this time of the year. It is too cold for me.
Posted : February 2, 2012 10:19 pm
It is cold, but when I came on vacation in Febuary before I moved here it was heavenly compared to Southern Maine costal winter
Posted : February 2, 2012 10:36 pm
Maybe try going to the beach and sticking your feet into the water for a minute or two to see if it is warm enough. Just a thought.
Posted : February 3, 2012 2:10 am
Maybe try going to the beach and sticking your feet into the water for a minute or two to see if it is warm enough. Just a thought.
Did that yesterday down by Point Udall. Slightly cool, but would have been nice to swim in especially in the sun. Wouldn't swim there though, waves are too rough hitting the east end.
Posted : February 3, 2012 11:22 am
You need to hike to the next two bays over from point Udall (Jack and Isaacs)... swimming there and snorkeling are great.
Posted : February 3, 2012 11:28 am
Yep, we just like our weekly sit on the beach and chill time together. That's what we were doing yesterday. 🙂
We had a tourist ask us about "snorkeling with the sea turtles" at Jack's. Apparently they'd been told you could walk out and pet them? :S
Edited because I can't type...
Posted : February 3, 2012 11:31 am
Dive computers vary. I dive with two exact models. The one I trust ti be more accurate has been reading 76* the other 74*.
I know most of the people I dive with have been going to heavier wet suits.
I have been using a 5/4 mil suit. And still getting cold after 45 minutes into the dive
Posted : February 3, 2012 11:36 am
To settle the question, I have some extremely accurate temperature dataloggers that we use to measure water temps for reed studies. I'll take some down with me over the next couple of days, download the data and see what the temperature actually is.
I've only been wearing a 3/2 wetsuit this winter but tend to have a higher cold water tolerance than most people. Terry--have you thought of wearing a hood instead of a thicker wetsuit? I just hate wearing so much neoprene so if I get cold, I put on a little neoprene hood (it's more the size of a swim cap with a chin strap than a full hood). It looks ridiculous, but makes a world of difference!
Posted : February 3, 2012 12:34 pm
Yep, we just like our weekly sit on the beach and chill time together. That's what we were doing yesterday. 🙂
We had a tourist ask us about "snorkeling with the sea turtles" at Jack's. Apparently they'd been told you could walk out and pet them? :S
Edited because I can't type...
The snorkeling at Isaac's is some of the best on STX, and it's beautiful there. Never had the opportunity to pet a sea turtle, but I did run over a dead mongoose once.
Bernie
Posted : February 3, 2012 1:39 pm
We had a tourist ask us about "snorkeling with the sea turtles" at Jack's. Apparently they'd been told you could walk out and pet them? :S
The snorkeling at Isaac's is some of the best on STX, and it's beautiful there. Never had the opportunity to pet a sea turtle, but I did run over a dead mongoose once.
Bernie
They actually thought the turrles are just offshore all the time and you can swim with them like some of those "swim with the dolphins" experiences that are around. We really didn't know how to clarify for them without disappointing them - they were on their honeymoon too!
Posted : February 3, 2012 1:43 pm
I've been trying to figure out what I can do just snorkeling to keep warm. After about 30 minutes in the water, my fingers start going numb. I have been thinking about either a wetsuit jacket or a dive skin paired with a swim cap. Thanks for the suggestion to Terry, stxem!
Posted : February 3, 2012 2:03 pm
I do wear a hood!
Posted : February 4, 2012 1:41 pm
