NOAA SATELLITE DATA (1991–2020 30-YEAR CLIMATOLOGY)
ES

Spain Sea Temperature in May

Historical 30-year sea surface temperatures across 73 coastlines in Spain for May. Derived from NOAA 0.25° blended satellite and in-situ marine observations.

Climatology Notice: Temperatures represent the 30-year long-term historical average (1991–2020 normal), not a live single-day sensor forecast.
Bathing Climatology Gauge · Spain (May)
NOAA OISST v2.1 (0.25° Marine Grid)
17.9°C
Bracing / Crisp
Mean sea surface temperature across 73 monitored coastlines
Swimmability Verdict
Cold Water / Thermal Protection Advised
Warmest Coastline
Coldest Surveyed Shore
Swimmable Ratio (≥21°C)
0% (sub-threshold)0/73

Spain’s primary swimming window runs from 22 Jun to 14 Oct (~115 days/year). Currently 5.8°C below the August peak of 23.7°C. Rapidly increasing daylight warms shallow embayments ahead of open ocean shelves, creating early-season microclimates.

Plan Your May Trip to Spain

Spring shoulder-season swim windows are opening across Spain. Take advantage of pre-summer rates and fresh coastal waters.

Spring Stays in SpainCompare Rates in Spain

Warmest Swimming Bases in Spain (May)

The top 3 coastlines holding highest water temperatures based on 30-year NOAA climatology.

NOAA OISST v2.1
#1 Warmest

Playa de las Teresitas

San Andres, Tenerife
20.2°C
#2 Warmest

Playa de Benijo

Taganana, Tenerife
20.2°C
#3 Warmest

Playa del Duque

Costa Adeje, Tenerife
20.2°C

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Balearic Sea Heat Reservoir vs Cantabrian Atlantic Chill

Spain presents Europe’s sharpest internal contrast: the Balearic Sea and Costa Blanca reach 26.0–26.5°C in August in calm, high-evaporation conditions, while northern Atlantic Galicia and the Cantabrian Sea hover at 19.5–21.0°C due to open North Atlantic wave fetch, tidal mixing, and periodic Rías upwelling.

Oceanographic Phenomenon:Mediterranean Microclimate vs Bay of Biscay Swell
Thermal Lag Characteristic:Extended Mediterranean thermal lag: Mallorca and Ibiza maintain 22.4°C sea temperatures into late October, creating Europe’s longest comfortable autumn swimming zone.
Peak Bathing Average:August (26.2°C)
Statutory Tourism Sources:
ibiza.travelspain.infocaib.esillesbalears.travelformentera.es

The May Spring Awakening Advantage

As solar irradiance surges across Southern Europe, shallow bays, lagoons, and sheltered southern coves warm up weeks ahead of the deep open Mediterranean basin. With minimal seasonal crowds, crisp water clarity, and accommodation rates 30–50% below peak summer, early-season swimmers target protected sandy shallows where sun penetration is greatest.

CYPRUS (AYIA NAPA)
20.8°C
First swim window
SPAIN (MALLORCA / IBIZA)
19.1°C
Rapid spring warming
GREECE (CRETE / RHODES)
19.8°C
Sheltered south bays
TURKEY (ANTALYA / FETHIYE)
20.5°C
Longest sun duration
Editorial Guides:Spring Beach Guide Adriatic May–June Guide Early Season Stays

Spain Beaches in May

Individual coordinate lookups from NOAA 0.25° marine grid.

Showing 73 coastlines
Playa de Benijo
#2 in May
20.2°C
Spain flagTaganana, Tenerife, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
20.2°
J
21.5°
J
22.2°
A
23.2°
S
23.9°
O
23.6°
N
22.3°
Playa del Duque
#3 in May
20.2°C
Spain flagCosta Adeje, Tenerife, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
20.2°
J
21.4°
J
22.2°
A
23.1°
S
23.7°
O
23.6°
N
22.3°
Playa de Güigüí
#4 in May
20.1°C
Spain flagLa Aldea, Gran Canaria, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
20.1°
J
21.3°
J
22.0°
A
22.9°
S
23.4°
O
23.3°
N
22.2°
Playa de Maspalomas
#5 in May
20.1°C
Spain flagMaspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
20.1°
J
21.3°
J
21.9°
A
22.7°
S
23.3°
O
23.2°
N
22.1°
Playa del Inglés
#6 in May
20.1°C
Spain flagMaspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
20.1°
J
21.3°
J
21.9°
A
22.7°
S
23.3°
O
23.2°
N
22.1°
Playa de Las Canteras
#7 in May
20.0°C
Spain flagLas Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
20.0°
J
21.2°
J
21.9°
A
22.7°
S
23.4°
O
23.2°
N
22.0°
Playa de Cofete
#8 in May
19.8°C
Spain flagJandia, Fuerteventura, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.8°
J
21.0°
J
21.7°
A
22.5°
S
23.0°
O
22.9°
N
21.7°
Playa de Sotavento
#9 in May
19.8°C
Spain flagJandía, Fuerteventura, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.8°
J
21.0°
J
21.6°
A
22.4°
S
22.9°
O
22.8°
N
21.7°
Playa de Papagayo
#12 in May
19.6°C
Spain flagPlaya Blanca, Lanzarote, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.6°
J
20.8°
J
21.6°
A
22.4°
S
23.0°
O
22.8°
N
21.5°
El Golfo (Charco Verde)
#13 in May
19.6°C
Spain flagLanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.6°
J
20.8°
J
21.6°
A
22.4°
S
23.0°
O
22.8°
N
21.5°
Playa del Moro (Alzada)
#14 in May
19.5°C
Spain flagFuerteventura (Corralejo Natural Park / La Oliva), Canary Islands, Spain, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.5°
J
20.8°
J
22.0°
A
22.8°
S
23.2°
O
22.5°
N
21.0°
Playa de Famara
#15 in May
19.5°C
Spain flagLanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.5°
J
20.7°
J
21.5°
A
22.4°
S
23.0°
O
22.7°
N
21.5°
Caló des Màrmols
#17 in May
19.2°C
Spain flagMallorca (Santanyí / Cape Ses Salines), Balearic Islands, Spain, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.2°
J
22.8°
J
25.2°
A
26.2°
S
24.8°
O
22.0°
N
18.8°
Cala d'Hort
#18 in May
19.1°C
Spain flagBalearic Islands (Ibiza), Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.1°
J
23.4°
J
25.9°
A
26.5°
S
24.8°
O
21.8°
N
18.5°
Cala Salada & Saladeta
#19 in May
19.1°C
Spain flagBalearic Islands (Ibiza), Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.1°
J
23.4°
J
25.9°
A
26.5°
S
24.8°
O
21.8°
N
18.5°
Cala Llombards
#20 in May
19.1°C
Spain flagBalearic Islands (Mallorca / Santanyí), Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.1°
J
23.4°
J
25.9°
A
26.5°
S
24.8°
O
21.8°
N
18.5°
Playa de las Arenas
#22 in May
19.1°C
Spain flagValencia, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
19.1°
J
22.8°
J
25.6°
A
26.5°
S
24.9°
O
22.1°
N
18.5°
Playa del Saler
#23 in May
18.9°C
Spain flagValencia, Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.9°
J
22.6°
J
25.5°
A
26.4°
S
24.8°
O
22.0°
N
18.3°
Playa de los Genoveses
#25 in May
18.5°C
Spain flagAndalusia (Cabo de Gata / San José), Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.5°
J
21.6°
J
23.8°
A
24.4°
S
23.1°
O
20.6°
N
18.1°
Mónsul Beach
#26 in May
18.5°C
Spain flagAndalusia (Cabo de Gata / San José), Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.5°
J
21.6°
J
23.8°
A
24.4°
S
23.1°
O
20.6°
N
18.1°
Playa de los Muertos
#27 in May
18.5°C
Spain flagAndalusia (Cabo de Gata / Carboneras), Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.5°
J
21.6°
J
23.8°
A
24.4°
S
23.1°
O
20.6°
N
18.1°
Calblanque Beach
#28 in May
18.5°C
Spain flagRegión de Murcia (Cartagena), Spain
● Refreshing / Invigorating
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.5°
J
21.6°
J
23.8°
A
24.4°
S
23.1°
O
20.6°
N
18.1°
Playa del Postiguet
#29 in May
18.4°C
Spain flagAlicante, Costa Blanca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.4°
J
21.8°
J
24.9°
A
26.2°
S
24.8°
O
22.0°
N
18.9°
Platja de Migjorn
#30 in May
18.3°C
Spain flagFormentera, Balearics, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.3°
J
21.5°
J
24.6°
A
26.1°
S
24.9°
O
22.2°
N
19.1°
Playa de Levante
#32 in May
18.3°C
Spain flagBenidorm, Costa Blanca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.3°
J
21.7°
J
24.8°
A
26.2°
S
24.8°
O
22.0°
N
18.9°
Es Trenc
#33 in May
18.2°C
Spain flagMallorca, Balearics, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.2°
J
21.6°
J
24.7°
A
26.2°
S
25.0°
O
22.4°
N
19.2°
Cala Comte
#34 in May
18.2°C
Spain flagIbiza, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.2°
J
21.5°
J
24.7°
A
26.1°
S
24.8°
O
22.1°
N
18.9°
Cala Mondrago
#35 in May
18.1°C
Spain flagSantanyi, Mallorca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.1°
J
21.5°
J
24.7°
A
26.1°
S
24.9°
O
22.4°
N
19.2°
Caló des Moro
#36 in May
18.1°C
Spain flagMallorca, Balearics, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.1°
J
21.5°
J
24.7°
A
26.1°
S
24.9°
O
22.4°
N
19.2°
Cala del Moraig
#37 in May
18.1°C
Spain flagBenitatxell, Costa Blanca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.1°
J
21.5°
J
24.7°
A
26.1°
S
24.7°
O
21.9°
N
18.8°
Cala Granadella
#38 in May
18.1°C
Spain flagJávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.1°
J
21.5°
J
24.7°
A
26.1°
S
24.7°
O
21.9°
N
18.8°
Cala Benirràs
#39 in May
18.1°C
Spain flagIbiza, Balearics, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.1°
J
21.5°
J
24.7°
A
26.2°
S
24.8°
O
22.1°
N
18.8°
Playa de la Barrosa
#41 in May
18.1°C
Spain flagChiclana de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.1°
J
20.2°
J
22.1°
A
22.9°
S
22.0°
O
20.4°
N
18.3°
Cala Agulla
#42 in May
18.0°C
Spain flagCala Ratjada, Mallorca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.0°
J
21.5°
J
24.6°
A
26.0°
S
24.8°
O
22.3°
N
19.2°
Cala Formentor
#43 in May
18.0°C
Spain flagPollenca, Mallorca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
18.0°
J
21.4°
J
24.5°
A
26.0°
S
24.8°
O
22.2°
N
19.0°
Cala Macarella
#44 in May
17.9°C
Spain flagCiutadella, Menorca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.9°
J
21.4°
J
24.5°
A
25.9°
S
24.7°
O
22.1°
N
19.0°
Cala Turqueta
#45 in May
17.9°C
Spain flagMenorca, Balearics, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.9°
J
21.4°
J
24.5°
A
25.9°
S
24.7°
O
22.1°
N
19.0°
Cala Mitjana
#46 in May
17.9°C
Spain flagFerreries, Menorca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.9°
J
21.4°
J
24.5°
A
25.9°
S
24.7°
O
22.1°
N
19.0°
Cala Macarelleta
#47 in May
17.9°C
Spain flagMenorca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.9°
J
21.4°
J
24.5°
A
25.9°
S
24.7°
O
22.1°
N
19.0°
Cala Galdana
#48 in May
17.9°C
Spain flagFerreries, Menorca, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.9°
J
21.4°
J
24.5°
A
25.9°
S
24.7°
O
22.1°
N
19.0°
Playa de El Palmar
#49 in May
17.9°C
Spain flagVejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.9°
J
20.0°
J
21.9°
A
22.7°
S
21.9°
O
20.5°
N
18.7°
Playa de Bolonia
#50 in May
17.8°C
Spain flagTarifa, Costa de la Luz, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.8°
J
19.7°
J
21.6°
A
22.4°
S
21.6°
O
20.3°
N
18.6°
Cala Pregonda
#53 in May
17.7°C
Spain flagMenorca, Balearics, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
17.7°
J
21.3°
J
24.3°
A
25.7°
S
24.5°
O
21.9°
N
18.7°
Tossa de Mar
#54 in May
16.6°C
Spain flagCosta Brava, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.6°
J
20.2°
J
23.2°
A
24.6°
S
23.1°
O
20.1°
N
16.9°
Cala Aiguablava
#56 in May
16.2°C
Spain flagBegur, Costa Brava, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.2°
J
19.6°
J
22.3°
A
23.5°
S
22.0°
O
19.1°
N
16.5°
Platja de Castell
#57 in May
16.2°C
Spain flagPalamós, Costa Brava, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.2°
J
19.6°
J
22.3°
A
23.5°
S
22.0°
O
19.1°
N
16.5°
Platja de Tamariu
#58 in May
16.2°C
Spain flagBaix Empordà, Costa Brava, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
16.2°
J
19.6°
J
22.3°
A
23.5°
S
22.0°
O
19.1°
N
16.5°
Torimbia Beach
#59 in May
15.9°C
Spain flagAsturias (Llanes), Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.9°
J
18.5°
J
20.2°
A
20.8°
S
19.8°
O
17.5°
N
15.2°
Playa del Silencio
#60 in May
15.9°C
Spain flagAsturias (Cudillero), Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.9°
J
18.5°
J
20.2°
A
20.8°
S
19.8°
O
17.5°
N
15.2°
Playa de la Concha
#61 in May
15.8°C
Spain flagSan Sebastián, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.8°
J
18.9°
J
21.2°
A
22.2°
S
20.8°
O
18.3°
N
15.8°
Zarautz
#62 in May
15.8°C
Spain flagBasque Country, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.8°
J
18.8°
J
21.1°
A
22.2°
S
20.8°
O
18.3°
N
15.8°
Playa de Laga
#63 in May
15.7°C
Spain flagIbarrangelu, Urdaibai, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.7°
J
18.7°
J
21.1°
A
22.1°
S
20.8°
O
18.3°
N
15.8°
Playa de Rodas
#64 in May
15.5°C
Spain flagGalicia (Rías Baixas / Cíes Islands), Spain, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.5°
J
17.2°
J
18.0°
A
18.5°
S
17.8°
O
16.2°
N
14.8°
Mundaka
#65 in May
15.4°C
Spain flagUrdaibai, Bizkaia, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.4°
J
18.3°
J
20.8°
A
21.9°
S
20.7°
O
18.3°
N
15.9°
Rodas Beach
#66 in May
15.2°C
Spain flagCíes Islands, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.2°
J
16.5°
J
17.0°
A
17.2°
S
17.0°
O
16.4°
N
15.4°
Praia da Lanzada
#67 in May
15.2°C
Spain flagO Grove, Galicia, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.2°
J
16.4°
J
16.9°
A
17.1°
S
16.9°
O
16.3°
N
15.3°
Playa del Sardinero
#68 in May
15.1°C
Spain flagSantander, Cantabria, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
15.1°
J
17.8°
J
20.3°
A
21.5°
S
20.4°
O
18.2°
N
15.8°
Playa de Gulpiyuri
#69 in May
14.9°C
Spain flagLlanes, Asturias, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
14.9°
J
17.4°
J
20.0°
A
21.2°
S
20.1°
O
18.0°
N
15.7°
Praia de Carnota
#71 in May
14.9°C
Spain flagCarnota, Galicia, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
14.9°
J
16.1°
J
16.7°
A
17.0°
S
16.6°
O
16.3°
N
15.4°
Playa de Rodiles
#72 in May
14.8°C
Spain flagVillaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
● Bracing / Crisp
NOAA Season Curve (May–Oct):
M
14.8°
J
17.2°
J
19.7°
A
20.9°
S
19.8°
O
17.8°
N
15.6°

Explore Sea Temperatures by Country

Spain(23.7°C)Italy(25.9°C)Turkey(27.3°C)France(22.4°C)Greece(25.4°C)Cyprus(27.7°C)Croatia(25.2°C)Albania(25.5°C)Montenegro(25.7°C)Malta(26.7°C)Bulgaria(25.1°C)Romania(24.7°C)Slovenia(25.4°C)Portugal(20.7°C)Poland(19°C)Sweden(18.3°C)Netherlands(18.5°C)Bosnia & Herzegovina(25.2°C)Monaco(24.6°C)Latvia(18.5°C)Estonia(18°C)Lithuania(18.8°C)Germany(18.6°C)Denmark(18°C)Norway(15.3°C)Belgium(18.7°C)Faroe Islands(10.9°C)United Kingdom(16.1°C)Ireland(15.9°C)Iceland(10.9°C)Finland(16.6°C)