Why is Hawaii water so warm?

Ocean currents in the Subtropical Gyre transport cooler waters from the northeast Pacific to the west and south, warming as it moves to the subtropical Pacific and the vicinity of Hawai'i. Similarly, warm water from the western subtropical Pacific is transported towards Japan, cooling as it moves northward.



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The natural currents continually bring a fresh supply of ocean water to the island. Warm surface water in tropical areas have low nutrient concentrations. This limits the amount of zooplankton and phytoplankton which would otherwise cloud the water some.

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The risk of being attacked by a wild animal when swimming in Hawaii is low, as there is only a small number of shark attacks reported each year, and other marine life such as jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war, moray eels, and sea urchins are more likely to cause a minor injury than a serious one.

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The Weddell Sea has been claimed by scientists to have the clearest waters of any ocean in the world. Described by a historian as “the most wretched and dismal region on earth”, due to the flash freezes that caught Shackleton's ship, its clarity is only belied by the sheer depth of the ocean below.

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As a general rule, Hawaiian waters average 77 degrees in the wintertime to 82 degrees in the summertime. Now, compared to the U.S. West Coast, Hawaiian waters are definitely much warmer (10-20 degrees warmer) than the waters off Southern California. No comparison really for the U.S. West Coast.

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So overall, compared to those warm water areas of the U.S. Gulf and Florida, Hawaiian waters are warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. As a general rule, Hawaiian waters average 77 degrees in the wintertime to 82 degrees in the summertime.

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Originating atop the volcano as rain and snowmelt – the water slowly filters through thousands of feet of porous, volcanic rock, re-emerging at the surface as refreshingly crisp, naturally alkaline water.

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Hawaii's ocean water is nutrient deficient. This is common in tropical areas with warm surface water temperatures. A lack of nutrients means there are fewer phytoplankton and algae in Hawaii's water, which makes it more blue.

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Over the years, Hawaii has received some memorable snowstorms and record-breaking amounts of powder. In 1938, mount Haleakala's snowfall was over six inches at the peak. Recently, in 2021, Hawaii's three highest mountains (Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Haleakala were all covered in a substantial amount of snow.

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Pacific Ocean temperatures on Honolulu shores are warmer than those of Hilo, but both are still swim-worthy at 77 and 73 degrees, respectively. Ocean temperatures in December all around the Hawaiian islands rest comfortably at about 77 degrees.

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It does not have the extremes of cold winters and summer heat waves and it usually does not have hurricanes and hailstorms. However, Hawaii's tallest peaks do get their share of winter blizzards, ice, and snow. Highest temperatures may reach into the 90s.

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Nissi Bay Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus It's located on the island of Cyprus, which is known to have some of the clearest waters in all of Europe. A tiny strip of soft, pale sand divides two sections of light blue shallows, ensuring picturesque views no matter where you set up camp.

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