Summer is behind us but that doesn’t mean your early morning swims need to stop, despite the mornings getting darker and cooler.

After all, the ocean is one of the best-kept secrets of autumn and ocean swimmers have been privy to it for years, coining it “the best time of the year to swim”.

The water is the perfect temperature, the conditions are beautiful and the sunrises are just stunning.

Here are five reasons why you should continue your early morning ocean swims into autumn.

1. Boost your immune system

Ocean swimming helps oxygen and nutrients travel around the body to the heart and lungs which helps to boost your cardiovascular and immune systems.

It also helps to reduce stress and induce a start of relaxation which is vital in keeping a healthy immune system to help prevent you from getting sick.

And during Autumn, the flu season is starting to kick in which means keeping a healthy immune system is key to keeping the flu at bay.

2. Ideal ocean swimming conditions

The ocean is huge, after all, it does take up over 70 per cent of planet Earth.

During summer, the ocean stores thermal energy which keeps the water warm long after summer ends. This means that the water temperature during autumn is often warmer than the air temperature which makes those early morning dips just that little bit easier.

The ocean also produces more consistent swell conditions which are perfect for ocean swimming.

3. It’s the best way to start the day

Often we can wake up still feeling tired and sluggish but heading for an early morning ocean swim will leave you feeling refreshed and energised for a day full of work.

There is no better feeling than diving into the ocean as the sun comes up and diving under the waves to swim a kilometre or two.

Studies have also proven that hitting the water for a morning swim before your day starts leaves you full of endorphins, which boosts your mood, energy and concentration skills for the whole day.

4. Catch the sunrise

Apart from starting your day in the ocean and being with your friends, the sunrises you see while swimming is the best part of an early morning ocean swim.

During Autumn the sun sits lower in the sky which means the light reaches us differently giving us a beautiful array of sunrise colours, ranging from cotton candy pinks, bright oranges, brilliant reds and of course those moody purple greys.

And there’s no better way to view the sunrise than in the warm water of the ocean while swimming.

5. Post-swim coffee and chat

The classic post-swim coffee and chat with your ocean swimming group is often the favourite part of the swim for many swimmers, and in autumn you’ll enjoy wrapping your hands around a nice warm cup as you warm up.

If watching the sun slowly get higher in the sky while chatting away and socialising with your fellow ocean swimmers post-swim won’t get you out of bed during the darker Autumn mornings, we don’t know what will.