The best time of year to boat Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu is warm enough to boat for most of the year, but it changes a lot from month to month. Summer afternoons regularly reach 115°F. Winter days are mild but the water is cold. Spring brings the wind and the biggest crowds. Here's what to expect in each season, using NOAA's 30-year climate normals for Lake Havasu City and the water temperatures the Bureau of Reclamation records at Parker Dam.

Month by month

Typical daily high and low for Lake Havasu City, and the average water temperature at Parker Dam (2016–2026). Highs and lows are NOAA's 1991–2020 averages, except the July, August and October highs, which are what we see on the lake:

• January: 65°F high, 43°F low. Water about 52°F.
• February: 70°F / 46°F. Water about 53°F.
• March: 78°F / 51°F. Water about 60°F.
• April: 86°F / 58°F. Water about 66°F.
• May: 95°F / 67°F. Water about 72°F.
• June: 105°F / 76°F. Water about 78°F.
• July: 115°F / 83°F. Water about 83°F.
• August: 115°F / 82°F. Water about 84°F.
• September: 102°F / 75°F. Water about 81°F.
• October: 100°F / 62°F. Water about 73°F.
• November: 75°F / 50°F. Water about 64°F.
• December: 64°F / 42°F. Water about 56°F.

The water figures are monthly averages we worked out from the Bureau of Reclamation's daily readings, which are provisional. The gauge is at the dam at the south end of the lake, so shallow coves near the city can run warmer. It rains very little: about 4 inches in a whole year.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is the most comfortable time to be on the water if you don't plan to swim much. Highs climb from the high 70s in March to the mid 90s by May, and the water warms from about 60°F to the low 70s.

It's also the windiest part of the year. There's no official wind record for the lake itself, but the nearest National Weather Service climate records, for Las Vegas, show April, May and June as the windiest months. When sustained wind reaches about 20 to 29 mph, the NWS issues a lake wind advisory. Check the lake forecast the day before, and plan to be out in the morning, when it's usually calmer.

Spring break brings the biggest crowds of the year to the Bridgewater Channel and Copper Canyon (Go Lake Havasu). If you want quiet water in March, head south to the coves or go midweek.

Summer (June to September)

Summer is peak season for swimming. The water is in the high 70s to mid 80s, and the lake is at its busiest on holiday weekends. It's also very hot. Highs are over 100°F from June through September, and July and August reach about 115°F, and on average Lake Havasu City sees about 128 days a year at 100°F or more.

The National Weather Service's heat illness guidance is worth knowing before a summer boat day:

• Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, a fast weak pulse, cramps or nausea. Get into shade, loosen clothing, use cool wet cloths and sip water.
• Heat stroke: a body temperature above 103°F, hot red skin, confusion. Call 911 and cool the person down. Don't give them fluids.
• When the NWS issues an Extreme Heat Warning (the new name, since 2025, for an Excessive Heat Warning), consider moving your rental to an early start.

Fall (October and November)

Fall is a good time to come. The water holds its summer heat, still about 73°F in October, while highs ease from around 100°F in October to the mid 70s in November. The spring-break and holiday crowds are gone. By November the water is in the mid 60s and most people aren't swimming, but it's still a good month for a pontoon or a jet ski ride.

Winter (December to February)

Winter days are mild, with highs in the mid 60s to low 70s, but the water drops into the low 50s. That's cold enough to be dangerous if you fall in. If you boat in winter, wear your life jacket, dress in layers, and keep the day short. Winter is also when some of the biggest events happen on land.

Events on the calendar

Dates from the organisers and Go Lake Havasu. Check each official site before you plan around one.

• London Bridge Days Parade: October 24, 2026, on McCulloch Boulevard (Go Lake Havasu).
• IJSBA World Finals (jet ski racing): October 3–11, 2026, free for spectators (IJSBA).
• Boat Parade of Lights: December 12, 2026, in the Bridgewater Channel. It's held on the second Saturday of December (Go Lake Havasu).
• Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair: January 21–24, 2027, with 80+ hot air balloons (Havasu Balloon Festival).
• Winterfest: February 6–7, 2027, on Main Street. Free (Go Lake Havasu).
• Western Winter Blast: February 11–14, 2027, a pyrotechnics convention at SARA Park (Go Lake Havasu).
• Desert Storm Poker Run & Shootout: late April 2027. The Parade of Power runs from Thompson Bay through the Channel, and Go Lake Havasu warns spectator boaters of unusually heavy, fast boat traffic (Desert Storm).

So when should you go?

• For swimming: June through September, and book a morning start.
• For comfortable air temperatures: March through May, or October.
• For quiet water: midweek in fall, or any time away from spring break and holiday weekends.
• For calm water: mornings, all year.

Whenever you come, check the live lake conditions before you head out, and see what's available for your dates.