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Sea temperature in New Zealand

Live water temperatures and swimming conditions across 179 beaches on the New Zealand coast.

Best time to swim in New Zealand

The sea in New Zealand peaks in January, when the water averages around 18°C.

On average, 0 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.

Outside peak season the water drops toward 12°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.

The coldest month is typically July at around 12°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.

New Zealand sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so the warmest sea coincides with the December–February summer and the coolest with July–August.

New Zealand sea temperature history

Long-term climatology for New Zealand shows an annual mean sea temperature of 15°C, ranging from 12°C in winter to 18°C at the summer peak.

The seasonal swing is roughly 6°C between the coldest and warmest month — a useful yardstick when comparing years or checking whether the current sea is running above or below average.

Recent decades have trended slightly warmer at New Zealand, in line with regional sea-surface temperature records for the wider basin.

Monthly averages below are drawn from multi-decadal climatology and are updated as new observations arrive.

Jan
18°C
Feb
18°C
Mar
17°C
Apr
16°C
May
15°C
Jun
13°C
Jul
12°C
Aug
12°C
Sep
13°C
Oct
14°C
Nov
15°C
Dec
17°C

Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.

New Zealand sea temperature: frequently asked questions

What is the warmest month to swim in New Zealand?

January is the warmest month in New Zealand, when the sea averages about 18°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.

When is the sea coldest in New Zealand?

The coldest month in New Zealand is typically July, when the water averages around 12°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.

When can you swim in New Zealand without a wetsuit?

The sea in New Zealand rarely climbs above 20°C, so a wetsuit is recommended year-round for anything longer than a quick dip.

Do I need a wetsuit in New Zealand?

Outside peak summer the water in New Zealand drops toward 12°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable. In peak months most swimmers go without.

What is the average sea temperature in New Zealand?

The long-term annual mean sea temperature in New Zealand is about 15°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.

How do I check the current sea temperature in New Zealand?

The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in New Zealand, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.

New Zealand sea temperature by month

Average sea temperatures around New Zealand for every month of the year, based on long-term Open-Meteo marine climatology.

Monthly average sea temperature in New Zealand
MonthAverage sea
January ⭐18.0°C
February18.0°C
March17.0°C
April16.0°C
May15.0°C
June13.0°C
July12.0°C
August12.0°C
September13.0°C
October14.0°C
November15.0°C
December17.0°C

Monthly figures are modelled climatology averages, not live readings. How accurate is our data?

Coastal regions of New Zealand

Region hubs with live sea temperatures, swim conditions and a beach directory.

North Island
48 beaches
48 tracked beaches in North Island, New Zealand, with live Tasman Sea temperatures.
South Island
29 beaches
29 tracked beaches in South Island, New Zealand, with live Tasman Sea temperatures.
Northland
22 beaches
22 tracked beaches in Northland, New Zealand, with live Pacific Ocean temperatures.

Warmest beaches in New Zealand right now

BeachRegionSea
New Chums BeachNorth Island17.7°C
Lyall BayNorth Island17.7°C
Oriental BayNorth Island17.7°C
Whangarei Heads OceanNorth Island17.7°C
Waihi BeachNorth Island17.6°C
Himatangi BeachNorth Island17.6°C
Mount MaunganuiNorth Island17.5°C
Waikanae BeachNorth Island17.5°C
Cheltenham BeachNorth Island17.4°C
Browns BayNorth Island17.4°C
Muriwai BeachNorth Island17.4°C
Cathedral CoveNorth Island17.4°C
Milford BeachNorth Island17.3°C
Narrow NeckNorth Island17.3°C
Piha BeachNorth Island17.2°C
Ninety Mile BeachNorth Island17.2°C
Takapuna BeachNorth Island17.1°C
Goat Island BeachNorth Island17.1°C
Ohope BeachNorth Island17.1°C
Paihia BeachNorth Island17.1°C
Russell BeachNorth Island17.1°C
Days BayNorth Island17.0°C
Riversdale BeachNorth Island16.9°C
Omaha BeachNorth Island16.8°C
Pakiri BeachNorth Island16.8°C
Hahei BeachNorth Island16.8°C
Wainui BeachNorth Island16.8°C
Napier Marine ParadeNorth Island16.8°C
Scorching BayNorth Island16.8°C
Paraparaumu BeachNorth Island16.8°C
Mathesons BayNorth Island16.7°C
Hot Water BeachNorth Island16.7°C
Gisborne WaikanaeNorth Island16.7°C
Fitzroy BeachNorth Island16.7°C
Castlepoint BeachNorth Island16.6°C
Foxton BeachNorth Island16.6°C
Mount Beach TaranakiNorth Island16.6°C
Sandy BayNorth Island16.6°C
Mission BayNorth Island16.5°C
Karekare BeachNorth Island16.5°C
Bethells BeachNorth Island16.5°C
Papamoa BeachNorth Island16.5°C
Long BayNorth Island16.4°C
Orewa BeachNorth Island16.3°C
Whangamata BeachNorth Island16.3°C
Ocean Beach NapierNorth Island16.3°C
Coopers BeachNorth Island16.3°C
Matapouri BayNorth Island16.3°C
Pauanui BeachCoromandel15.7°C
Matauri BayNorthland15.7°C
Wainuiomata BeachWellington15.7°C
Farewell SpitNelson15.7°C
Rarangi BeachMarlborough15.7°C
Oreti BeachSouthland15.7°C
Monkey Island BeachSouthland15.7°C
Cape FoulwindWest Coast15.7°C
Onemana BeachCoromandel15.6°C
Whangapoua BeachCoromandel15.6°C
Bowentown BeachBay of Plenty15.6°C
Whakatane BeachBay of Plenty15.6°C
Paekakariki BeachWellington15.6°C
Onetahuti BeachNelson15.6°C
Le Bons BayCanterbury15.6°C
Warrington BeachOtago15.6°C
St Heliers BeachAuckland15.5°C
Onepoto BeachMarlborough15.5°C
Porpoise BaySouthland15.5°C
Matarangi BeachCoromandel15.4°C
Great Barrier MedlandsAuckland15.4°C
Omanu BeachBay of Plenty15.4°C
Back BeachTaranaki15.4°C
Mapua BeachNelson15.4°C
Kaikoura PeninsulaCanterbury15.4°C
Kuaotunu BeachCoromandel15.3°C
Ninety Mile BeachNorthland15.3°C
Spirits BayNorthland15.3°C
Riversdale BeachWairarapa15.3°C
Tolaga BayGisborne15.3°C
Split Apple RockNelson15.3°C
Pohara BeachNelson15.3°C
Spencer ParkCanterbury15.3°C
Colac BaySouthland15.3°C
Gillespies BeachWest Coast15.3°C
Oneroa BeachAuckland15.2°C
Cooks BeachCoromandel15.2°C
Ruakaka BeachNorthland15.2°C
Cable BayNorthland15.2°C
Tapotupotu BayNorthland15.2°C
Bark BayNelson15.2°C
Wharariki BeachNelson15.2°C
Ship CreekWest Coast15.2°C
Matapouri BeachNorthland15.1°C
Sandy Bay TutukakaNorthland15.1°C
Oakura BeachTaranaki15.1°C
Karitane BeachOtago15.1°C
Rapahoe BeachWest Coast15.1°C
Palm Beach WaihekeAuckland15.0°C
Worser BayWellington15.0°C
Kaiti BeachGisborne15.0°C
Torrent BayNelson15.0°C
Kohimarama BeachAuckland14.9°C
Red BeachAuckland14.9°C
Tairua BeachCoromandel14.9°C
Otama BeachCoromandel14.9°C
Woolleys BayNorthland14.9°C
Bream BayNorthland14.9°C
Owhiro BayWellington14.9°C
Anchorage BayNelson14.9°C
Cable Bay NelsonNelson14.9°C
Waikuku BeachCanterbury14.9°C
Okains BayCanterbury14.9°C
Moeraki Boulders BeachOtago14.9°C
Carters BeachWest Coast14.9°C
Long Beach RussellNorthland14.8°C
Sponge BayGisborne14.8°C
Robin Hood BayMarlborough14.8°C
Punakaiki BeachWest Coast14.8°C
Waipu CoveNorthland14.7°C
Cathedral Cove DoubtlessNorthland14.7°C
East End BeachTaranaki14.7°C
Waiheke OnetangiAuckland14.6°C
Opoutere BeachCoromandel14.6°C
Whale BayNorthland14.6°C
Langs BeachNorthland14.6°C
Tokerau BeachNorthland14.6°C
Ahipara BeachNorthland14.6°C
Pukehina BeachBay of Plenty14.6°C
Petone BeachWellington14.6°C
Tokomaru BayGisborne14.6°C
Long Beach DunedinOtago14.6°C
Katiki BeachOtago14.6°C
Bruce BayWest Coast14.6°C
Oke BayNorthland14.5°C
Scorching BayWellington14.5°C
Anaura BayGisborne14.5°C
Opunake BeachTaranaki14.5°C
Kaitoke Beach GBIAuckland14.4°C
Coopers BeachNorthland14.4°C
Rarawa BeachNorthland14.4°C
Shipwreck BayNorthland14.4°C
Otaki BeachWellington14.4°C
Makorori BeachGisborne14.4°C
Ocean Beach HawkesHawkes Bay14.4°C
Waimarama BeachHawkes Bay14.4°C
North Beach ChristchurchCanterbury14.4°C
Purakaunui BeachOtago14.4°C
Whangarei Ocean BeachNorthland14.3°C
Westshore BeachHawkes Bay14.3°C
Rabbit IslandNelson14.3°C
Waimairi BeachCanterbury14.3°C
Sumner BeachSouth Island12.7°C
Aramoana BeachSouth Island12.7°C
Le Bons BaySouth Island12.6°C
St Clair BeachSouth Island12.6°C
Sandfly BaySouth Island12.6°C
Kaiteriteri BeachSouth Island12.5°C
Marahau BeachSouth Island12.4°C
Totaranui BeachSouth Island12.4°C
Akaroa BeachSouth Island12.4°C
Wharariki BeachSouth Island12.3°C
New Brighton BeachSouth Island12.2°C
Riverton BeachSouth Island12.2°C
Tahunanui BeachSouth Island12.1°C
Birdlings FlatSouth Island12.1°C
Hokitika BeachSouth Island12.1°C
Anchorage BaySouth Island12.0°C
Oreti BeachSouth Island11.9°C
Awaroa BeachSouth Island11.8°C
Taylors MistakeSouth Island11.8°C
Allans BeachSouth Island11.8°C
Greymouth BeachSouth Island11.8°C
Pohatu BeachSouth Island11.7°C
St Kilda Beach DunedinSouth Island11.7°C
Westport North BeachSouth Island11.7°C
Kaka PointSouth Island11.5°C
Curio BaySouth Island11.5°C
Brighton Beach DunedinSouth Island11.5°C
Caroline BaySouth Island11.4°C
Kaikoura South BaySouth Island11.4°C

Sea temperature in New Zealand — FAQ

How warm is the sea in New Zealand in November?

The sea off New Zealand averages about 15.0°C in November, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.

When is the best time to swim in New Zealand?

New Zealand is warmest in January (around 18.0°C) and coldest in July (around 12.0°C). There are typically 0 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.

What is the average yearly sea temperature in New Zealand?

Across all twelve months, the sea in New Zealand averages about 15.0°C.

Do you need a wetsuit to swim in New Zealand?

The sea in New Zealand stays below 22°C even at its warmest (~18.0°C in January), so a 3/2mm or thicker wetsuit is recommended for longer swims year-round.