Gulf temp in April

[dunelover]

Hi All---

Trying to plan an extended family trip to sowal around early april time frame. I have only been to sowal as early as May 4 and the water was fine then. Does anyone know how comfortable the gulf is in early April? Is that a good time to come or would we still be sharing the beach w/ spring breakers?

 

[Rudyjohn]

Hi dunelover,

In my opinion, the water is cold. As in "bracing" when you walk in. Better to just run and totally submerge immediately. But otherwise, the weather is beautiful at this time of year.

Others who visit more frequently than me will chime in with good advice as far as spring breakers.

Have fun planning the trip!

 

[aggieb]

hey dunelover, i have no clue about the h2o temps, just wanted to say hi. so hi. hope all is well in your world. i'm so glad you're planning a beach trip.

 

[beachmouse]

Usually mid to high 60s water temp that time of year. Whether that's swimmable it's up to you.

 

[gardening1970]

My family has stayed on 30A for the last 4 or 5 Spring Breaks, which falls the first full week of April for many of the Atlanta area schools. Spring Break during that time seems to consist of families and not college kids. We've never had a problem with crowds. In fact, the beach was far more crowded during our mid June trip last year.

My experience is that the weather is wide-ranging. We've seen weeks that begin as a rainy 55 degrees and improve to a sunny 77 degrees by the end of the week. The gulf is too cold for much past my ankles, but you can bike and walk without heat stroke and the sky is still a crisp blue - no summer haze. Gorgeous sunsets and no noticeable seaweed are another plus. And no dog flies.

We've been debating about whether to come down in April this year or wait until June. I think I just talked myself into another great Spring Break!

 

[organicmama]

April is beautiful.

Right now, the water's not so cold but not swimmable. It's listed at 58.3 in P'Cola. The kids have been playing in the surf today, but nothing past their ankles. The warm weather this "winter" might make a difference, if we don't have a huge cold snap in Jan/Feb.

This link gives avg temps. Note: My parents wouldn't let us in the pool until the water was 78 degrees and that seemed cold at first but we got used to it quickly.

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/egof.html

 

[barefootguy]

Last year I swam in the gulf several times over the winter. It was cold but refreshing. My crazy daughter went skinny dipping in the pool tonight, and the pool is colder than the gulf.

 

[Matt J]

It seems to be fine right now as I ran into jdarg and family at Publix on Friday and they had Princess Kate had been swimming.

April is hit or miss depending on both the air temps during the winter and the amount of snow and rainfall north of us.

 

[organicmama]

And it's suddenly cold today.

 

[dunelover]

hey dunelover, i have no clue about the h2o temps, just wanted to say hi. so hi. hope all is well in your world. i'm so glad you're planning a beach trip.

Thanks for your sweet words and Hi back. I am doing well, I will have my last treatment on Friday!!! Call me excited......

April is beautiful.

Right now, the water's not so cold but not swimmable. It's listed at 58.3 in P'Cola. The kids have been playing in the surf today, but nothing past their ankles. The warm weather this "winter" might make a difference, if we don't have a huge cold snap in Jan/Feb.

This link gives avg temps. Note: My parents wouldn't let us in the pool until the water was 78 degrees and that seemed cold at first but we got used to it quickly.

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/egof.html

Thanks for the link, that is exactly what I needed. Water sounds a bit cold for me, but I am soooo anxious to get back I might just have to look at the water and swim in the heated pool....We'll see...I have slight neuropathy from my chemo in hands and feet that cold aggravates, so...I am leaning towards at least two trips this year, april and September (when the water is great)...

Thanks for all the help....Ya'll are great!