What wetsuit do you need in North Korea?
The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 15 coastal cities in North Korea.
| City | Coldest | Warmest | One suit for the season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hŭngnam | 3.9°C Feb | 25.6°C Aug | nothing |
| Wŏnsan | 2.7°C Feb | 26.3°C Aug | nothing |
| Chongjin | 3.1°C Feb | 23.9°C Aug | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Haeju | 2.9°C Feb | 26.3°C Aug | nothing |
| Ch’ŏngdan-ŭp | 2.8°C Feb | 26.5°C Aug | nothing |
| Kwail-ŭp | 4.1°C Feb | 23.2°C Aug | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Hongwŏn | 3.9°C Feb | 25.6°C Aug | nothing |
| Hwadae | 4.9°C Feb | 23.4°C Aug | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Rajin | 2.0°C Feb | 23.6°C Aug | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Ongjin | 4.8°C Feb | 24.8°C Aug | nothing |
| Changyŏn | 4.1°C Feb | 23.2°C Aug | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Iwŏn-ŭp | 4.8°C Feb | 24.1°C Aug | nothing |
| Sindo | -0.7°C Feb | 25.5°C Aug | nothing |
| Sŭngam-nodongjagu | 3.7°C Feb | 23.9°C Aug | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Yŏmju | -0.6°C Feb | 25.6°C Aug | nothing |
Thicknesses above are for swimming. Surfing the same water wants a step more — most of a session is spent sitting still in the wind rather than moving and immersed. Each city page gives both, along with when you need boots, gloves and a hood.
Sea temperature and swimming season in North Korea →
Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from