Lake Michigan Swim in November? No Problem.
Even as cold November arrives in Chicago, expect some good water for open water swimming, with comfortable Lake Michigan water temperatures and conditions.
![Cool Fall open water swim temperatures in Lake Michigan still left conditions ideal for swimming with the right open water swim gear.](https://openwaterlog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_065213-1024x768.jpg)
![Open water swimming temperatures and wave heights (both °C/meters and °F/ft) in Lake Michigan reported for Belmont Harbor at openwaterlog.com](https://openwaterlog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OWL-Belmont-Met-221110-1024x532.png)
OpenWaterLog.com reports of water temperatures and waves (both °C/meters and °F/ft) matched conditions in the water.
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Of course, I always know when the water will be good thanks to the open water swim conditions report at OpenWaterLog.com
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The right open water swimming gear, like an open water swim buoy, makes it easier to handle all the gear of colder Lake Michigan water temperatures.
![Everything needed in the water for the swim fit neatly in a backpack. All dry land gear, including shoes, fit in the open water swim buoy (tow float) while swimming.](https://openwaterlog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_075634-1024x768.jpg)
I carried everything for the swim in a backpack, and loaded all dry land gear, including shoes, in the open water swim buoy (tow float) while swimming.
![Swimming around the park and seawall near Belmont Harbor in Lake Michigan to get beautiful view of the Chicago skyline just after sunrise.](https://demo3.toxsl.in/open-water-log/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_072221-1024x751.jpg)
This route has a beautiful Chicago skyline reveal as you round the seawall near the entrance to Belmont Harbor. It’s even better at sunrise.
![Floating with an open water swim buoy and wetsuit](https://openwaterlog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_074107-300x217.jpg)
A brief relaxing float near the seawall after the swim
![Sun shining on Lake Michigan near the Belmont Harbor seawall.](https://demo3.toxsl.in/open-water-log/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_080138-1024x768.jpg)
The sun’s a little higher over Belmont Harbor, after the swim. But this is November, it won’t get a lot higher.