What wetsuit do you need in Canada?
The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 15 coastal cities in Canada.
| City | Coldest | Warmest | One suit for the season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 7.3°C Jan | 16.9°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Victoria | 8.1°C Mar | 11.4°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| St. John's | 0.2°C Mar | 15.1°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Delta | 7.3°C Jan | 16.9°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Dartmouth | 1.5°C Mar | 17.7°C Sep | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Nanaimo | 7.0°C Jan | 18.4°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| New Westminster | 7.3°C Jan | 16.9°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Saint John | 3.3°C Mar | 15.0°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Charlottetown | -1.4°C Feb | 19.9°C Aug | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Campbell River | 7.4°C Feb | 17.5°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Courtenay | 7.5°C Jan | 18.2°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Port Alberni | 7.5°C Jan | 18.4°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Rivière-du-Loup | 0.3°C Feb | 11.4°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Prince Rupert | 6.8°C Mar | 13.7°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Iqaluit | -1.8°C Feb | 1.5°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
Thicknesses above are for swimming. Surfing the same water wants a step more — most of a session is spent sitting still in the wind rather than moving and immersed. Each city page gives both, along with when you need boots, gloves and a hood.
Sea temperature and swimming season in Canada →
Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from