Lake Wakatipu vs Lake Wanaka

Lake Wanaka is the warmer swim right now at about 9°C. They are roughly 67 km apart in New Zealand.

Lake Wakatipu

Otago

8.2°C

cold · modelled estimate

October average
8.2°C
Warmest month
February · 15.0°C
Coldest month
6.0°C
Swim season
no month averages above 18°C — a wetsuit lake year-round

Queenstown's zig-zag glacial lake — cold enough that most swims are short.

Lake Wanaka

Otago

9.0°C

cold · modelled estimate

October average
9.0°C
Warmest month
February · 18.0°C
Coldest month
6.0°C
Swim season
February–February

Southern Alps lake with a bracing but very popular summer swim scene.

Month by month

LakeJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Lake Wakatipu14.4°C15.0°C14.4°C12.8°C10.5°C8.3°C6.6°C6.0°C6.6°C8.2°C10.5°C12.8°C
Lake Wanaka17.2°C18.0°C17.2°C15.0°C12.0°C9.0°C6.8°C6.0°C6.8°C9.0°C12.0°C15.0°C

Monthly values are modelled from each lake's long-term winter and summer envelope, then refined with today's forecast air temperature for the headline reading.

Want a different mix? Compare up to four lakes side by side or browse all lake water temperatures.

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