Live picks · October 2026
Best places to swim this week
Well-loved beaches where the water is comfortable right now — every pick checked against a live water reading and today’s weather alerts.
Checked October 20, 2026 · 308 beaches with live readings
Number 1Siesta Beach
Sarasota, Florida · ★ 4.8
82°Flive water reading
Source: NOAA buoy 42013, 23.7 mi away · Oct 20, 4:35 AM UTC
Number 2Hermosa Beach Pier
Hermosa Beach, California · ★ 4.8
73°Flive water reading
Source: NOAA buoy ICAC1, 11.5 mi away · Oct 20, 4:54 AM UTC
Number 3San Clemente Pier
San Clemente, California · ★ 4.8
74°Flive water reading
Source: NOAA buoy 46285, 3.8 mi away · Oct 20, 4:56 AM UTC
Number 4Indian Rocks Beach
Indian Rocks Beach, Florida · ★ 4.8
75°Flive water reading
Source: NOAA buoy CWBF1, 5.5 mi away · Oct 20, 4:54 AM UTC
Number 5Sullivan's Island Beach
Charleston, South Carolina · ★ 4.7
71°Flive water reading
Source: NOAA buoy CHTS1, 5.3 mi away · Oct 20, 4:54 AM UTC
How we pick
- Well-loved: U.S. beaches rated 4.3★ or higher across at least 200 Google reviews, ranked by a review-weighted rating so one glowing review can’t beat thousands.
- Comfortable water: the nearest NOAA National Data Buoy Center station reads 70°F or warmer. Below that, sudden entry carries a real cold-shock risk (see our water safety guide). A buoy measures open water near the beach, not the surf line itself.
- No warnings: each pick is re-checked against active National Weather Service alerts and, where a state publishes them, beach advisories. Anything flagged is dropped.
- Spread out: at most two picks per state.
Beaches only for now: lakes rarely have a live water-temperature sensor in the lake itself, and we won’t rank them on a number from the wrong water.
Get the weekly swim report
Every Thursday: the warmest water in every state, active water hazards, and where to swim this weekend. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.
Conditions change quickly. Always judge the water in person and follow posted flags, lifeguards and local guidance before swimming.