Headed to Nova Scotia at the end of this month on a surfing/hiking trip. Does anybody on this forum live there or surf there on a frequent basis and know the current water temps and/or what I should expect wetsuit wise? Debating on what to pack. I live and surf in N.C. if that matters.
According to the NOAA buoy at Halifax, the water temps are around 57. And the shorelines are mostly all rock. Bring the 3/2 and boots.
Nova Scotia! Go to the website of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service. Strangely the further south, the colder the water is (closer to Fundy). Way back in 1999 an arm of the Gulf Stream rubbed against N.S., 75 degree water and point breaks- I should have went!
Brah you should get a hold of PBJ - he knows all about NS! Axtually- if I was you- I would just pick him up on your way- he could be like a surf tour guide. He knows all the good spots. Just be careful when you go up there/ I hear hear they got gnomes or something running around up there- they will steal your lunch money when your outs surfing!
Water temp goes up and down almost daily. It can be trunkable one day, 3/2 full with boots the next. Access can be an issue... steep, loose, rocky/rubbly cliffs, lack of parking, lack of trails to the beach... you'll love it!
Have been surfing out there for over a decade (building a cottage now, stoked!), and I've only worn a 4/3 during summer, with a hood just in case. You can get a away with a 3/2 fine, I guess, but if the wind switches offshore and/or the currents change, it's 4mil booties and 5mil gloves the next day and a hood for getting under. Sometimes happens the opposite too, morning sesh full rubber, evening sesh, no extras. I've seen so many visiting surfers looking for gloves and booties over the years, waves pumping and it's frigid in August! Water temps are WAY above average currently, but to be safe, bring both a 3/2 and 4/3 with a mix of accessories. You know the old saying "any damn fool can be uncomfortable". That is magnified in N.S. I surfed there in June and was warmer than usual. You're planning your trip at the right time, doesn't look like much juice till September anyway.
Killer info....thanks guys!! I got a little inside info on some spots, now I just need some swell. It's been one on the worst and weirdest summers around here so hopefully I'll score.
Spend a week every summer in Eastern Ontario (1000 Islands) to escape the North Carolina heat but can't tell ya much about Nova Scotia summer water temps. However if you are in NS until early Sept check out a concert by local surfer/Blue noser and rocker Matt Mays with his side kick from Montreal Sam Roberts (rock star in Canada). Travel north up to Cape Breton also. Canada taxes, gas and about everything else is higher than the States so be prepared to fork out a little extra cash. May also want to check out Great Big Sea - popular Canadian Maritime band. Also donuts at Tim Hortons a must!! Info on Matt Mays and Sam Roberts (Band) concert for Austism: www.theocdcollective.com
