Seasonal ranking
Coldest sea temperature in New Zealand in December
Where the sea is coolest across New Zealand during December, ranked by long-term monthly average water temperature. Tahunanui Beach (South Island, New Zealand) is the coolest at around 14°C. Open any spot for today's live water temperature and a 7-day swim forecast.
- 1Tahunanui BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 2Kaiteriteri BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 3Marahau BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 4Totaranui BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 5Wharariki BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 6Sumner BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 7Caroline BaySouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 8Birdlings FlatSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 9Akaroa BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 10Kaka PointSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 11Curio BaySouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 12Brighton Beach DunedinSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 13Oreti BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 14Riverton BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 15Kaikoura South BaySouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 16Westport North BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 17Hokitika BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 18Greymouth BeachSouth Island · New Zealand · Tasman SeaCold — wetsuit strongly recommended14°CDecember average
- 19Kohimarama BeachAuckland · New Zealand · Pacific OceanCool — shorty wetsuit recommended17°CDecember average
- 20Red BeachAuckland · New Zealand · Pacific OceanCool — shorty wetsuit recommended17°CDecember average
- 21Waiheke OnetangiAuckland · New Zealand · Pacific OceanCool — shorty wetsuit recommended17°CDecember average
- 22Cooks BeachCoromandel · New Zealand · Pacific OceanCool — shorty wetsuit recommended17°CDecember average
- 23Onemana BeachCoromandel · New Zealand · Pacific OceanCool — shorty wetsuit recommended17°CDecember average
- 24Opoutere BeachCoromandel · New Zealand · Pacific OceanCool — shorty wetsuit recommended17°CDecember average
- 25Pauanui BeachCoromandel · New Zealand · Pacific OceanCool — shorty wetsuit recommended17°CDecember average
Coldest sea in December elsewhere
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New Zealand in December — frequently asked questions
- Where is the sea coldest in New Zealand in December?
- Tahunanui Beach in New Zealand has the coldest sea in New Zealand in December, averaging about 14.0 °C. Kaiteriteri Beach (14.0 °C) and Marahau Beach are the next coolest.
- How many beaches in New Zealand are warm enough to swim in December?
- None of the top 25 ranked beaches in New Zealand reach 22 °C in December, so a wetsuit is recommended for anything longer than a quick dip.
- How are these December sea temperatures calculated?
- Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical December rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.
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