Weather Data

Punta Cana Sea Temperature by Month

Updated: 2026-06-01

Executive summary

Punta Cana sea temperature ranges from 26 °C (Feb) to 29 °C (Sep). The annual average is 27.7 °C — among the warmest in the Caribbean. No wetsuit needed at any time.

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Key statistics

29.1 °C

Warmest sea (Sep)

26.2 °C

Coolest sea (Feb)

27.7 °C

Annual average

0 m

Wetsuit needed

Sea temperature year-round

The Caribbean off Bávaro never drops below 26 °C and peaks near 29 °C in September. No wetsuit is needed for snorkeling, catamaran tours or Saona Island swims at any time of year. The 2023–24 Caribbean marine heatwave pushed peak SST above 30 °C — visible in NOAA Coral Reef Watch data.

Punta Cana — sea surface temperature by month (°C)

Month	Sea temp	Source
January	26.4 °C
February	26.2 °C
March	26.3 °C
April	26.7 °C
May	27.4 °C
June	28.2 °C
July	28.6 °C
August	29.0 °C
September	29.1 °C
October	28.8 °C
November	28.0 °C
December	27.0 °C

Source: SeaTemperature.info, Weather Atlas, NOAA Coral Reef Watch.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Atlantic side warm too?+

Yes — Punta Cana sits where Atlantic meets Caribbean. Both sides stay 26–29 °C. Atlantic-facing beaches (Macao) have stronger waves; Caribbean-facing (Juanillo, Bávaro) are calmer.

Does the marine heatwave affect snorkeling?+

Coral bleaching impacted some reefs in 2023–24, but Saona, Catalina and Isla Catalinita remain healthy snorkel spots — we route there year-round.

Sources & methodology