Cancun water
temperature

Water temperature of the Caribbean is influenced mainly by two things.
• The sun's angle
This is a seasonal influence,
heating the water more
during summer months than in winter when the sun is over the southern hemispere.
see more on sun angle here.
• Ocean current
The prevailing ocean current (called he Yucatan current) pulls water from the equator
and moves it north to the gulf
of Mexico, passing along the
coast of Cancun on it's way.
This is the reason Cancun's
water stay warm during the winter months.
see flash movie at right.
During summer months, the sun is at its most powerful for the northern hemispher and the Caribbean absorbs much of the sun's power. Temperatures rise to an average of 84°f (29°c), but can reach 86°f (30°c) in areas. This heat has the potential to feed tropical storms and hurricanes.
In Winter the sun is now most powerful over the southern hemisphere. Cancun's waters can finally cool, but warm currents moderate the temperature.

Average
WATER
TEMP.
78°f
(26°c)

Average
WATER
TEMP.
79°f
(26°c)

Average
WATER
TEMP.
80°f
(27°c)

Average
WATER
TEMP.
82°f
(28°c)

Average
WATER
TEMP.
84°f
(29°c)