INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Updated Thu 17:32 (Pacific/Honolulu)
USA · Forecast updated Nov 12, 2026, 17:32 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
25.9°C
78.6°F
Warm water
Valid Nov 12, 2026, 17:32 (Pacific/Honolulu). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
0.8°C below
The typical November average is 26.7°C (80.1°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Holding fairly steady
Seven-day average: 26.1°C, versus 26.3°C in the prior seven days.
What to wear
Warm water
Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Cold tolerance varies. Wind, session length, sunshine, and exertion also affect comfort; temperature alone does not describe sea conditions or replace the snorkel forecast.
In the historical baseline for Kauai, typical monthly averages range from about 24.4°C (75.9°F) in February to 27.5°C (81.5°F) in October.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Kauai has been 26.5°C.
Northern Hemisphere. Summer is generally June–August; winter is December–February.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Kauai, calculated from hourly observations for 2022–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24.4–25.1°C | 24.9°C / 76.8°F |
| February | 24.3–24.5°C | 24.4°C / 75.9°F |
| March | 23.8–25.1°C | 24.4°C / 75.9°F |
| April | 24.3–25.6°C | 24.9°C / 76.8°F |
| May | 25.5–25.7°C | 25.6°C / 78.1°F |
| June | 26.1–26.6°C | 26.3°C / 79.3°F |
| July | 26.4–26.6°C | 26.5°C / 79.7°F |
| August | 26.7–27.3°C | 27.0°C / 80.6°F |
| September | 27.1–27.8°C | 27.3°C / 81.1°F |
| October | 27.2–28.0°C | 27.5°C / 81.5°F |
| November | 26.6–26.8°C | 26.7°C / 80.1°F |
| December | 25.3–26.0°C | 25.7°C / 78.3°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (21.96, -159.71). Each month is the mean of yearly monthly means; the range is the lowest and highest of those yearly monthly means. Open-Meteo methodology.
Each month uses the 2022–2025 baseline. The range is the lowest and highest yearly monthly mean, not an hourly extreme.
Typical January water temperature near Kauai is 24.9°C (76.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.4–25.1°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: December 25.7°C · February 24.4°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical February water temperature near Kauai is 24.4°C (75.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.3–24.5°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: January 24.9°C · March 24.4°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical March water temperature near Kauai is 24.4°C (75.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.8–25.1°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: February 24.4°C · April 24.9°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical April water temperature near Kauai is 24.9°C (76.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.3–25.6°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: March 24.4°C · May 25.6°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical May water temperature near Kauai is 25.6°C (78.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.5–25.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: April 24.9°C · June 26.3°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical June water temperature near Kauai is 26.3°C (79.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.1–26.6°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: May 25.6°C · July 26.5°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical July water temperature near Kauai is 26.5°C (79.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.4–26.6°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: June 26.3°C · August 27.0°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical August water temperature near Kauai is 27.0°C (80.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.7–27.3°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: July 26.5°C · September 27.3°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical September water temperature near Kauai is 27.3°C (81.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.1–27.8°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: August 27.0°C · October 27.5°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in September, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical October water temperature near Kauai is 27.5°C (81.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.2–28.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: September 27.3°C · November 26.7°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical November water temperature near Kauai is 26.7°C (80.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.6–26.8°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: October 27.5°C · December 25.7°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Typical December water temperature near Kauai is 25.7°C (78.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.3–26.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: November 26.7°C · January 24.9°C.
Explore Kauai sea temperature in December, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
These values come from hourly forecasts SnorkelForecast has stored. They cover only months with records and do not replace the historical baseline.
| Month | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 25.7°C / 78.3°F | 25.9°C / 78.6°F |
| July | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 27.3°C / 81.1°F |
| August | 25.9°C / 78.6°F | 26.9°C / 80.3°F | 27.6°C / 81.7°F |
| September | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 26.8°C / 80.2°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| October | 26.2°C / 79.2°F | 26.8°C / 80.2°F | 27.6°C / 81.7°F |
| November | 25.7°C / 78.3°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F |
Partial coverage: 6 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 3366 hourly forecast records across 6 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
Kauai snorkel report hub for comparing north-shore summer reefs and south-shore beaches.
The current sea surface temperature near Kauai is 25.9°C (78.6°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 26.5°C.
The water is typically warmest in October, at around 27.5°C (81.5°F) in the 2022–2025 historical baseline.
The water is typically coldest in February, at around 24.4°C (75.9°F) in the same historical baseline.
At 25.9°C, the water is usually comfortable for swimming and snorkeling.
Prices and availability from Viator. Check conditions before you book.
We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Free cancellation available
Free cancellation available
Free cancellation available
Free cancellation available
Free cancellation available
Free cancellation available
See how today's sea temperature, wave height, wind, and tides combine into a detailed snorkeling score for Kauai.
View Snorkel Forecast →