SEA temperatures off the South Hams coast hit their highest recorded levels last week. The Start Bay buoy, off Slapton, measured 20.5 degrees celsius on Friday, July 25, which is the warmest since the buoy was deployed in April 2007. The tropical reading means that the Start Bay beaches are enjoying the same sea temperature as Malibu in California. According to scientists, we have an unusually mild winter coupled with a warm summer and settled conditions to thank for the balmy waters. Mark Wiggins of Plymouth Coastal Observatory said: 'The winter was very rough with lots of storms, but it was actually quite mild, with none of the snow that we've had in past years. So we started the summer from a higher base than usual. 'And summer has been relatively good so far, with very little wind and no real swell. 'If the weather holds and we don't get any big winds or swells, we could see even higher temperatures – September is normally the warmest time. 'Since we put the buoy in, in 2007, it's a record.'