canIswim

What wetsuit do you need in The Netherlands?

The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 12 coastal cities in The Netherlands.

City Coldest Warmest One suit for the season
The Hague 6.2°C Feb 19.8°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Haarlem 6.3°C Feb 19.6°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Leiden 6.2°C Feb 19.8°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Den Helder 6.2°C Feb 19.2°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Middelburg 6.5°C Feb 19.9°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Goes 6.5°C Feb 19.9°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Castricum 6.1°C Feb 19.4°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Delfzijl 4.1°C Feb 19.9°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Hellevoetsluis 6.6°C Feb 19.6°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Schagen 6.2°C Feb 19.2°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Harlingen 4.7°C Feb 19.7°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest
Hoek van Holland 6.5°C Feb 19.6°C Aug nothing, or a rash vest

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.

Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from