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Warmest sea in Ireland in May

169 coastal locations in Ireland ranked by their typical May sea temperature. Region-wide average in May: 12.2°C. The top of the list is where to find the warmest swimming this month.

Warmest in May

Crookhaven

12.8°C May mean in Ireland

Regional May average

12.2°C

across all 169 coastal locations in Ireland

Vs annual mean

-0.1°C

below the year-round regional average

What the Ireland sea feels like in May

Water at this temperature is cold and will feel very cold initially, but the body will get used to it and longer swims are possible. Experienced swimmers can manage several hours of swimming, however hypothermia is still a real risk.

Ireland monthly average 9.0°C to 16.0°C
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  • Warmest month August 16.0°C
  • Coldest month February 9.0°C
  • Annual mean 12.3°C
  • Months above 20°C 0 of 12

Where May fits in the year

May sits inside the regional pattern shown on the left. Pick a different month to see how the ranking shifts.

All twelve Ireland month rankings:

Ireland sea temperature map (live)

The map shows today's latest reading at every Ireland location. The list below is based on the typical May mean, useful for trip planning weeks or months ahead.

Zoom in to see individual locations. Click a pin for water temperatures. View list →
°C -2 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 24 27 30 35

Top 50 warmest Ireland locations in May

Sorted by the typical May mean built from a decade of daily readings at each location. Click any place for its 30-day chart, monthly profile, and full 10-year history.

# Location May mean
1 Crookhaven County Cork 12.8°C
2 Dunmanus County Cork 12.8°C
3 Baltimore County Cork 12.8°C
4 Castletownshend County Cork 12.8°C
5 Carrigaholt County Clare 12.8°C
6 Tarbert Island County Kerry 12.8°C
7 Coney Island County Clare 12.8°C
8 Foynes Island County Limerick 12.8°C
9 Gaillimh County Galway 12.8°C
10 Galway City County Galway 12.8°C
11 Limerick Harbour County Limerick 12.8°C
12 Liscannor County Clare 12.8°C
13 Mellon Point County Limerick 12.8°C
14 Oranmore County Galway 12.8°C
15 Inishmore (Killeany Bay) County Galway 12.8°C
16 Kilkieran County Galway 12.8°C
17 Ballyheige County Kerry 12.8°C
18 Kilbaha Bay County Clare 12.8°C
19 Ballycotton County Cork 12.8°C
20 Cork City County Cork 12.7°C
21 Crosshaven County Cork 12.7°C
22 Marino Point County Cork 12.7°C
23 Ringaskiddy County Cork 12.7°C
24 Roberts Cove County Cork 12.7°C
25 Courtmacsherry County Cork 12.7°C
Show 25 more ▸
26 Ballinskelligs Bay County Kerry 12.7°C
27 Cahersiveen County Kerry 12.7°C
28 Garretstown Beach 12.7°C
29 Kilbrittain 12.7°C
30 Kinsale 12.7°C
31 Waterville County Kerry 12.7°C
32 Bantry 12.7°C
33 Aran Islands 12.6°C
34 Ballybunion 12.6°C
35 Clonakilty Bay County Cork 12.6°C
36 Clonakilty 12.6°C
37 Kilkee 12.6°C
38 Kilrush 12.6°C
39 Schull 12.6°C
40 Ballycrovane Harbour County Cork 12.6°C
41 Castletown Bearhaven County Cork 12.6°C
42 Castletownbere County Cork 12.6°C
43 Cromane Point County Kerry 12.6°C
44 Galway 12.6°C
45 Lahinch 12.6°C
46 Limerick 12.6°C
47 Salthill 12.6°C
48 Shannon 12.6°C
49 Spanish Point 12.6°C
50 Ardmore 12.6°C

Coldest 10 in Ireland in May

Same data the other way. Helpful if you want to know which Ireland coasts to avoid for swimming in May.

# Location May mean
1 Moville 10.5°C
2 Inishtrahull County Donegal 10.6°C
3 Buncrana 10.9°C
4 Bulbinbeg County Donegal 11.1°C
5 Malin Head County Donegal 11.1°C
6 Trawbreaga Bay County Donegal 11.1°C
7 Arklow 11.2°C
8 Wicklow 11.2°C
9 Cranford Bay County Donegal 11.5°C
10 Fanad Head County Donegal 11.5°C

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