Rockaway Beach, NY water temperature by month

Swimmable from July through September.

Month by month

Month Typical Feels
January 45° brisk
February 42° brisk
March 43° brisk
April 49° brisk
May 57° brisk
June 65° refreshing
July 74° perfect
August 73° perfect
September 71° refreshing
October 65° refreshing
November 58° brisk
December 50° brisk

The year at a glance

swimmable 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 74° 42° JFMAMJJASOND January: typically 45° — brisk February: typically 42° — brisk March: typically 43° — brisk April: typically 49° — brisk May: typically 57° — brisk June: typically 65° — refreshing July: typically 74° — perfect August: typically 73° — perfect September: typically 71° — refreshing October: typically 65° — refreshing November: typically 58° — brisk December: typically 50° — brisk

The water right now

Typically about 65° in October — refreshing.

from the buoy at the New York Harbor entrance, about 16 miles away

refreshing

bath-warm 80° and up perfect 72–79° refreshing 65–71° brisk below 65° 65° typical for October

About this reading

The reading comes from the buoy at the New York Harbor entrance riding about 16 miles out; the surf zone usually reads close to it, though sun-warmed shallows can run warmer on calm afternoons.

Reading from the buoy at the New York Harbor entrance, about 16 miles away.

Warm water says nothing about surf, rip currents, or bacteria — check local lifeguard flags and advisories.

Shark attacks

The International Shark Attack File lists 1 unprovoked bite in New York in 2025 — rare enough events that the file investigates and counts them one at a time, worldwide.

What the record shows for Rockaway Beach, NY