What wetsuit do you need in Norway?
The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 15 coastal cities in Norway.
| City | Coldest | Warmest | One suit for the season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen | 6.1°C Feb | 15.7°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Stavanger | 5.1°C Feb | 16.1°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Kristiansand | 4.7°C Mar | 17.5°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Sandefjord | 2.9°C Feb | 18.5°C Aug | shorty, or skins if you are used to it |
| Tønsberg | 2.9°C Feb | 18.5°C Aug | shorty, or skins if you are used to it |
| Ålesund | 6.2°C Mar | 15.0°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Moss | 2.6°C Feb | 18.8°C Aug | shorty, or skins if you are used to it |
| Haugesund | 5.7°C Feb | 16.2°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Bodø | 4.7°C Mar | 14.1°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Arendal | 4.4°C Feb | 17.8°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Grimstad | 4.4°C Feb | 17.8°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Molde | 6.0°C Mar | 15.0°C Aug | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Hammerfest | 4.0°C Mar | 11.1°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Sortland | 4.8°C Mar | 13.0°C Aug | 5/4 mm, and not alone |
| Kragerø | 3.6°C Feb | 18.1°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 Norway →
Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from