We live in the northeast and we are desperate for some warm ocean water before summer officially starts. If we go to a southern beach in early May (like Alabama Gulf Shores or the Florida panhandle), is the water actually warm enough to swim in yet, or is it still freezing?
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@alan Hi Alan, welcome to the community! 
When visiting Miami in June, the ocean actually felt surprisingly cold. So in early May it might still feel a bit chilly for swimming, depending on your expectations.
Air temperatures are usually warm by then, but the water can take longer to warm up, especially earlier in the season.
Hopefully someone who has visited Alabama Gulf Shores or the Florida Panhandle specifically in May can share their experience too.