Spain records highest-ever sea temperatures in summer 2026: report

Sea temperatures surrounding Spain reached unprecedented highs during the summer of 2026, according to data released by the state port authority, Puertos del Estado.

The highest temperature in the port authority's entire buoy network was recorded by the Dragonera buoy in the Balearic Islands, which spiked to a staggering 33.02°C (91.44°F) on August 5.

Nearly all buoys across the Levante-Balear basin broke local record.

Last month, scientists said that human-caused climate change was the main driver of recent record-breaking sea temperatures around Europe, warning of severe consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

As reported, coastal monitoring buoys off northeastern Spain registered severe highs, including 30.7°C off Tarragona and 30.5°C off Barcelona on August 9.

Northern Atlantic waters also saw major anomalies, with a buoy near Pasaia hitting 28.4°C in June, and another long-term monitoring buoy recording a record 25.27°C in mid-August.

Compounding the marine heatwaves, Spain's state weather agency AEMET reported that the country endured 61 days under heatwave conditions across the mainland and Balearic Islands in 2026—shattering the previous record of 41 days set in 2022.

Scientists attribute these severe marine and terrestrial extremes primarily to human-caused climate change, triggering heightened concerns over intense ecosystem stress, risks to marine biodiversity, and more volatile weather patterns for coastal communities.