Swimming in the North?

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
FALL
SEPT 21, TO DECEMBER 21

There is a world of difference in those two dates. Also, no two years are alike. After 1 November the temperatures start sagging noticeably. But 80F? Ni Modo. 80F at Bahia Kino maybe for a few weeks in very late summer or early fall.

Sad news for sure.
Thanks
Jerry

FALL
SEPT 21, TO DECEMBER 21

There is a world of difference in those two dates. Also, no two years are alike. After 1 November the temperatures start sagging noticeably. But 80F? Ni Modo. 80F at Bahia Kino maybe for a few weeks in very late summer or early fall.

Thanks for the replies. I was just hoping if we got there early enough we might be able to take a swim while visiting friends in San Carlos. But it doesn't look like it. If it's not above 80F I might shuffle around in the surf a little but I'm not going in.
Jerry

"Cold" is relative. I prefer my temps near 80F. Too warm? Dive down 5 feet for a shock. FYI, at my pueblo in Michoacan, the temperature of the water in February is almost 80F. The temperature of the water in Ecuador I found out in 1995 is around sixty two. Upwelling. A stiff northwest wind across the gulf of california churns the water and can turn 80F water into 65F water so fast it'd make your head swim. I dipped the temp at the shoreline in Sta Rosalia last week and saw 73F One August day in 1995 I made a big mistake and waded into the water at Bahia Concepcion. One hundred nine degrees. It damned near burned me.

The most CONSISTENTLY PREDICTABLE winter ocean water temperatures can be found south of Manzanillo Colima, and on the Caribbean in the state of Quintana Roo.

Jerry, it was pretty cool where we were this past January-February, both in San Felipe and Puerto Penasco. But I don't know the answer to the question you posed, when does the warmth leave. But it will be nothing like the Costa Alegra we both have known. Years ago we also swam in BCS, pretty comfortable Mulege right to Cabo in January and February. In the north, the sun is shining, sure, but the wind usually invades so if the water is cool, when you get out you really get iced over. So I'd guess it's the end of November, but that's only a guess. At Bahia Tenacatita, Jalisco, early November it could be 85 F. but would keep cooling off to March with values then about 77 F. even with the ambient temps rising as January progressed; had more to do with prevailing ocean currents maybe.

It would be nice if someone had this answer.

Oh yes, wetsuits will allow comfortable water entry, and summertimes in south British Columbia's waters they can then be too warm unless you are submerged a few feet. In winter the salt water is at a considerabley higher temperature than nearby lakes. That is the case in Baja too, if comparing an unheated swimming pool with the ocean, either Cortes or Pacific.

We swim Sea of Cortez all winter...Baja side south of San Felipe.(about 100 to 150 miles).when it gets chilly we wear wet suits...have different thickness for cool to cold water. Had dry suits at one time but never got cold enough to wear them.

Northern part of Sea of Cortez can be warmer than S.Carlos/Guaymas because it's shallower and calmer. To me it's all "cold" in winter, unless in a tidal pool in a very sheltered bay. You want it warm - go closer to equator.

December for sure!

Moisheh

I guess that would depend on how cold is cold. Afaic any lake is too cold.