#595 European Rank
Cape Kolka
Kurzeme, Latvia•Baltic Sea• Best Season: June, July, August
Photo: Italas at Lithuanian Wikipedia (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.22/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
18°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€30/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Shallow & Gentle
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Gentle Wave Action
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces N (0°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Good Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces N (0°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
N (0°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the N-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Cape Kolka: Light coastal break; family friendly with standard water awareness. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Kurzeme, Latvia
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
18.0°C
Air ~26°C
Short dips only; spring wetsuit recommended
Invigorating cold dip. Swimmers generally wear a shorty wetsuit for sessions over 10–15 minutes.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 18.0°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.1°C | 12°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 0.8°C | 13°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 0.9°C | 15°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 2.9°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 7.4°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 12.8°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 17.1°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 18.0°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 15.0°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 10.8°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 7.4°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 4.5°C | 14°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Latvia Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 18.0°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (18°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Cape Kolka for the optimal June–July–August swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Cape Kolka (Kurzeme, Latvia)
🌊 Water temperature: 18°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces N (sheltered from S winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/cape-kolka-lv/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.6 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.2 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.9 / 5
About Cape Kolka
A wild, driftwood-strewn cape where the open Baltic collides with the Gulf of Riga in a line of restless water.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: P131 / P124 regional roads to Kolka village visitor parking with marked pine forest boardwalk paths
•Protected Status / Environment: Slītere National Park core protected area and Livonian Coast cultural reserve
•Notable Feature: Geographic confluence where Baltic Sea waves clash directly with the Gulf of Riga over an underwater sandbar with offshore lighthouse
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Typical Rate: ~€8/day
EasyPark AppPayByPhone App
EasyPark mobile app is widely supported across blue-line municipal zones.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Sun • Early Evening Shade
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
NoFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
YesGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Kurzeme. Accessible via regional coastal roads (57.752°N, 22.594°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Cape Kolka involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Shallow and lively where the currents of two seas collide.
•A wild, windswept cape where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Kurzeme, Latvia.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Cape Kolka?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cape Kolka
What is the water temperature at Cape Kolka?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Cape Kolka averages 18°C (64°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Cape Kolka?
Cape Kolka is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Kurzeme, Latvia.
Is Cape Kolka good for families with kids?
Yes, Cape Kolka is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Cape Kolka?
Parking arrangements vary locally. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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