Water temperatures of the Baltic Sea: Summer feeling even in September!

Water temperatures of the Baltic Sea: Summer feeling even in September!

On September 5, 2025, the Baltic Sea will have an inviting water temperature that will attract both locals and vacationers to the beaches of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In this region, swimming is simply a part of summer. Anyone wondering how warm the water actually is can find the temperature of 22 locations on interactive maps, which are updated daily by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) and the German Weather Service (DWD). The courageux courageous ones even venture into the cool water in winter.

The bathing spots included in the calculations range from popular places like Kühlungsborn and Warnemünde to idyllic corners like Binz and the monastery on Hiddensee. This data is crucial for many swimmers to determine the optimal time for a refreshing jump into the water. The question for today's swimmers is: When is the water warmest?

Warmer waters than ever before

According to the reports, the overall water temperatures on the German coast are not insignificant. In 2024, both the North and Baltic Seas were warmer than average. For example, the average water temperature in the North Sea was 11.1 degrees, and the Baltic Sea was 9.6 degrees, which is above the long-term average. Compared to 2023, when the Baltic Sea temperatures were 9.2 degrees, there is a clear trend towards warming. Not only is this perceived as pleasing to swimmers, but it also has deeper, broader implications for the marine ecosystem.

What is particularly noteworthy is that 2024 was the second warmest year for the Baltic Sea since the data series began, which goes back to 1990. And to put it in perspective: the Baltic Sea has warmed by 1.9 degrees since then, which is due to climate change - a fact that is also clear in the updated fact sheet on climate change in the Baltic Sea region. The evidence of rising sea levels and water temperatures is alarming and should not be ignored. The hope is that awareness of these issues will continue to spread.

Nature and people – a changeable relationship

The updated overview of the Baltic Sea also highlights many important trends that affect both ecosystems and human activities. Ocean acidification, increasing algae blooms and the presence of marine debris are challenging issues that are intensifying due to climate change. The changes occurring due to warm water temperatures and rising sea levels have far-reaching consequences, not only for wildlife but also for the people living along the coasts.

Conservation efforts and environmental initiatives can have a major impact on the condition of these treasured bodies of water. Tariffs for access to beaches, the maintenance of nature reserves and initiatives to educate people about the effects of plastic waste can help protect the ecosystem.

Therefore, it is beneficial for anyone who spends the summer on the Baltic Sea to monitor the water temperatures, not just to check the swimming conditions. It is also time to think about the long-term consequences of our behavior so that we can continue to preserve these precious coasts and seas for future generations.

For more detailed information about current temperatures and environmental data, please visit the websites Baltic Sea newspaper, World and learn more about climate change facts on the website EUCC-D.