When Is The Best Time To Swim In The Sea?

While the casual adventurer might associate swimming in the sea with sunny beach holidays, it’s actually an activity that offers a range of physical and mental health benefits in all kinds of conditions. However, just like any natural environment, the sea is constantly changing and choosing the best time to swim is a huge aspect of sea swimming safety. Swimming at the right time can also amplify your enjoyment of the refreshing experience so it’s important to plan your dip carefully. 

There are a number of ways that you can decide the best time to swim in the sea. The answer might first be guided by the level of time of day based on tide times, but it’s also worth paying attention to wider seasonality and personal preferences. This article will walk through all the factors you should consider when picking the timing of your next adventure.

Time Of Day

From a sea swimming safety perspective, the time of day is undoubtedly one of the first things to consider when deciding the best time to get in the water. Temperature and light levels will vary significantly throughout the day and this can increase the level of risk you are exposed to when in the water. Early morning or late evening will therefore naturally pose higher risks when sea swimming, but this isn’t to say it’s unsafe to do so. Just make sure that you are equipped with something like a tow float to stay visible to other water users and keep warm clothing like a changing robe close to hand to warm up in lower temperatures. 

Even more crucially, it’s important to be aware of changing tidal conditions and how that affects the best time of day to swim in the sea. The tide affects a number of things that will impact your sea swimming safety, including water depth, currents, and even the accessibility of the water and your entry and exit points. 

During high tide, the water level is higher up the beach which can make it easier to swim but does pose the risk of stronger currents. In contrast, low tide can mean that more of the beach is exposed and therefore the risk of exposure to sharp rocks is greater. With this in mind, many swimmers would argue that the best time of day to swim in the sea is during slack tide. Slack tide is the window an hour before or after high tide and therefore the time when the water is moving the least and therefore currents are usually the weakest.

Time Of Year

Seasonality also has a big impact on the best time to swim in the sea, as water conditions naturally vary throughout the year. While summer may seem like the obvious best time to swim in the sea, there’s no reason why it cannot be a year-round activity providing you are prepared for changing temperatures and conditions. Each season has its own unique characteristics which might suit you more than you think.

Summer brings warmer air and warmer water temperatures, but the water is still warm in early Autumn and this time of year also comes with the added benefit of slightly quieter and more peaceful surroundings. Going in the sea in winter is certainly not for the faint of heart and you’ll need to be appropriately clued up on your winter sea swimming safety tips. However, it’s an undoubtedly invigorating experience and one that can help you alleviate the winter blues and stay active throughout the colder months. Ultimately, the best time of year to swim in the sea largely depends on your tolerance for the cold but preparing correctly is key in all conditions and swimming in the sea outside of the summer months can be a truly transformative experience. 

Other Things To Consider

While tide times and weather conditions should always be at the forefront of your mind when deciding the best time to swim in the sea, it’s still important that you consider your own preferences. Your motivation for getting in the water in the first place might have a particular sway on what you deem to be the best time to swim in the sea. For example, if it’s the mental health benefits of sea swimming that motivate you, you might prefer to go swimming first thing in the morning or later in the day. A pre or post-work swim can be the perfect way to destress and clear your mind.

Alternatively, if you’re swimming in the sea to improve your cardiovascular fitness then the best time to swim in the sea may revolve around when your body is at its best for exercise. This might be first thing in the morning, but you may also find that you need a little time to ease into the day and get more out of your swim in the middle of the day. 

Our final bit of advice for choosing the best time to swim in the sea is a simple one: be willing to try new things, never go if you don’t feel safe, and dress appropriately. If you have any further questions about sea swimming or need recommendations on the best equipment to help you brave the ocean, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.