West Coast water temperatures are much lower than those along the East Coast. That is true because ocean waters rotate in clockwise fashion.
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Water temps are marginally higher on the east when compared with western beaches of the same latitude. Climate boffins reckon this is because ocean currents swirl in a clockwise direction in the northern hemisphere, pulling warm water in from the Equator.
The East Coast has more humid weather during the summer. It may be hot, but it is difficult to be at the beach when it is humid and sticky. Beaches on the West Coast have rougher sand with more rocks when comparing it to sand on the East Coast which is very fine and smooth.
That is true because ocean waters rotate in clockwise fashion. This means Atlantic waters travel to the U.S. East Coast from the south and are relatively warm compared with West Coast Pacific waters that arrive from the north out of the chilly Gulf of Alaska.
Makunufushi Island, MaldivesThe Maldives doesn't have a swimming season because the water is always warm enough (82 to 86 degrees) to dive right in and splash around. There are tons of gorgeous beaches, but we're partial to the private island of Makunufushi.
The only debate worth having is which side of Florida has the best beaches. The Atlantic coast has plenty to offer in the way of water sports. They get the better waves and, thus, some greater action. Florida's Gulf Coast, however, is responsible for those visions of smooth, sandy beaches and crystal, clear water.
The West Coast features the nicest weather in the country. Summers are not too hot and it also rains less than states on the East coast. In California, the weather is usually warm all year round and winters do not get uncomfortably cold besides snow is uncommon in most parts of the state.
It's a process known as upwelling, which plays out along the entire U.S. Pacific coast. Upwelling explains why water temperatures along California, Oregon and Washington beaches are much cooler than similar-latitude beaches in the East.
Why is the water in Florida so hot? Simply put, the rise in water temperature is due to a combination of things. Long-term changes in the earth's climate are a contributing factor, but so is the lack of wind on the surface of Florida's oceans, which is a side effect of climate change.
Warmest Ocean WaterFor the warmest ocean swim off the west coast of the United States, your best chances are Newport Beach in early August or at Avalon on Santa Catalina Island in mid to late August. At both places, the Pacific Ocean temperature peaks at 70 degrees F (21 °C).