Why the Ocean Feels Cold in Spots

Ever been in the ocean and suddenly felt the water cool off in random spots?

Those “random” cold spots in the ocean are actually a result of something called upwelling and the mixing of different water layers.

Let’s break it down.

The Ocean Has Layers

The ocean isn’t the same temperature all the way through.

• Near the surface, sunlight heats the water.

• Deeper down, it stays cooler because sunlight can’t reach as far.

• These warm and cool layers often stay separate—until something stirs them up.

Currents & Waves Shake Things Up

Near the shore, water’s always moving, and that movement is what brings chilly surprises.

• Breaking waves can push warm surface water away, letting colder water rise up.

• Longshore currents (they run parallel to the beach) can drag in slightly deeper, cooler water.

• Rip currents can pull cold water from deeper channels or sandbars and funnel it straight past your legs.

Enter: Upwelling

Sometimes wind pushes warm surface water away from shore. That creates space for colder, deeper water to rise up, a process known as upwelling.

That water hasn’t seen the sun in a while, so when it hits your skin, it feels like nature’s version of an ice bath.

So next time you're in the ocean and feel a sudden cold blast? You’re brushing up against deeper, older water that just got stirred up to the surface.