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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
Oriental BayNorth Island14.7°C
Paraparaumu BeachNorth Island14.7°C
Browns BayNorth Island14.6°C
Lyall BayNorth Island14.6°C
Himatangi BeachNorth Island14.6°C
New Chums BeachNorth Island14.5°C
Whangamata BeachNorth Island14.5°C
Scorching BayNorth Island14.5°C
Days BayNorth Island14.5°C
Mount Beach TaranakiNorth Island14.5°C
Ocean Beach NapierNorth Island14.4°C
Fitzroy BeachNorth Island14.4°C
Takapuna BeachNorth Island14.3°C
Orewa BeachNorth Island14.3°C
Hahei BeachNorth Island14.3°C
Waihi BeachNorth Island14.3°C
Russell BeachNorth Island14.3°C
Muriwai BeachNorth Island14.2°C
Pakiri BeachNorth Island14.2°C
Riversdale BeachNorth Island14.2°C
Waikanae BeachNorth Island14.2°C
Ninety Mile BeachNorth Island14.2°C
Whangarei Heads OceanNorth Island14.2°C
Cheltenham BeachNorth Island14.1°C
Papamoa BeachNorth Island14.1°C
Gisborne WaikanaeNorth Island14.1°C
Goat Island BeachNorth Island14.0°C
Napier Marine ParadeNorth Island14.0°C
Sandy BayNorth Island14.0°C
Milford BeachNorth Island13.9°C
Narrow NeckNorth Island13.9°C
Castlepoint BeachNorth Island13.9°C
Coopers BeachNorth Island13.9°C
Paihia BeachNorth Island13.9°C
Piha BeachNorth Island13.8°C
Karekare BeachNorth Island13.8°C
Hot Water BeachNorth Island13.8°C
Mathesons BayNorth Island13.7°C
Whangarei Ocean BeachNorthland13.7°C
Tapotupotu BayNorthland13.7°C
Porpoise BaySouthland13.7°C
Long BayNorth Island13.6°C
Omaha BeachNorth Island13.6°C
Cathedral CoveNorth Island13.6°C
Wainui BeachNorth Island13.6°C
Palm Beach WaihekeAuckland13.6°C
Matarangi BeachCoromandel13.6°C
Whale BayNorthland13.6°C
Langs BeachNorthland13.6°C
Spirits BayNorthland13.6°C
Scorching BayWellington13.6°C
Tokomaru BayGisborne13.6°C
Anaura BayGisborne13.6°C
Pohara BeachNelson13.6°C
Cable Bay NelsonNelson13.6°C
Waimairi BeachCanterbury13.6°C
Le Bons BayCanterbury13.6°C
Punakaiki BeachWest Coast13.6°C
Carters BeachWest Coast13.6°C
Ohope BeachNorth Island13.5°C
St Heliers BeachAuckland13.5°C
Tairua BeachCoromandel13.5°C
Woolleys BayNorthland13.5°C
Wharariki BeachNelson13.5°C
Colac BaySouthland13.5°C
Rapahoe BeachWest Coast13.5°C
Bethells BeachNorth Island13.4°C
Mount MaunganuiNorth Island13.4°C
Oneroa BeachAuckland13.4°C
East End BeachTaranaki13.4°C
Torrent BayNelson13.4°C
Rabbit IslandNelson13.4°C
Robin Hood BayMarlborough13.4°C
Okains BayCanterbury13.4°C
Warrington BeachOtago13.4°C
Karitane BeachOtago13.4°C
Oreti BeachSouthland13.4°C
Bruce BayWest Coast13.4°C
Mission BayNorth Island13.3°C
Foxton BeachNorth Island13.3°C
Matapouri BayNorth Island13.3°C
Cable BayNorthland13.3°C
Matauri BayNorthland13.3°C
Sponge BayGisborne13.3°C
Oakura BeachTaranaki13.3°C
Rarangi BeachMarlborough13.3°C
Waikuku BeachCanterbury13.3°C
Katiki BeachOtago13.3°C
Monkey Island BeachSouthland13.3°C
Ship CreekWest Coast13.3°C
Kuaotunu BeachCoromandel13.2°C
Long Beach RussellNorthland13.2°C
Petone BeachWellington13.2°C
Kaiti BeachGisborne13.2°C
Bream BayNorthland13.1°C
Bowentown BeachBay of Plenty13.1°C
Riversdale BeachWairarapa13.1°C
Ocean Beach HawkesHawkes Bay13.1°C
Bark BayNelson13.1°C
Purakaunui BeachOtago13.1°C
Kaitoke Beach GBIAuckland13.0°C
Cathedral Cove DoubtlessNorthland13.0°C
Paekakariki BeachWellington13.0°C
Kaikoura PeninsulaCanterbury13.0°C
Kohimarama BeachAuckland12.9°C
Pauanui BeachCoromandel12.9°C
Oke BayNorthland12.9°C
Pukehina BeachBay of Plenty12.9°C
Back BeachTaranaki12.9°C
Long Beach DunedinOtago12.9°C
Cooks BeachCoromandel12.8°C
Otama BeachCoromandel12.8°C
Rarawa BeachNorthland12.8°C
Omanu BeachBay of Plenty12.8°C
Anchorage BayNelson12.8°C
Red BeachAuckland12.7°C
Tokerau BeachNorthland12.7°C
Wainuiomata BeachWellington12.7°C
Makorori BeachGisborne12.7°C
Moeraki Boulders BeachOtago12.7°C
Great Barrier MedlandsAuckland12.6°C
Matapouri BeachNorthland12.6°C
Sandy Bay TutukakaNorthland12.6°C
Ninety Mile BeachNorthland12.6°C
Westshore BeachHawkes Bay12.6°C
Opunake BeachTaranaki12.6°C
Waiheke OnetangiAuckland12.5°C
Onemana BeachCoromandel12.5°C
Whangapoua BeachCoromandel12.5°C
Worser BayWellington12.5°C
Owhiro BayWellington12.5°C
Waimarama BeachHawkes Bay12.5°C
Onetahuti BeachNelson12.5°C
Gillespies BeachWest Coast12.5°C
Opoutere BeachCoromandel12.4°C
Waipu CoveNorthland12.4°C
Ruakaka BeachNorthland12.4°C
Coopers BeachNorthland12.4°C
Ahipara BeachNorthland12.4°C
Shipwreck BayNorthland12.4°C
Whakatane BeachBay of Plenty12.4°C
Otaki BeachWellington12.4°C
Split Apple RockNelson12.4°C
Mapua BeachNelson12.4°C
Farewell SpitNelson12.4°C
North Beach ChristchurchCanterbury12.4°C
Spencer ParkCanterbury12.4°C
Cape FoulwindWest Coast12.4°C
Tolaga BayGisborne12.3°C
Onepoto BeachMarlborough12.3°C
Aramoana BeachSouth Island10.7°C
Greymouth BeachSouth Island10.7°C
Kaiteriteri BeachSouth Island10.6°C
Totaranui BeachSouth Island10.6°C
Brighton Beach DunedinSouth Island10.4°C
Pohatu BeachSouth Island10.3°C
Marahau BeachSouth Island10.2°C
St Kilda Beach DunedinSouth Island10.2°C
Kaikoura South BaySouth Island10.2°C
Taylors MistakeSouth Island10.1°C
Tahunanui BeachSouth Island9.9°C
Caroline BaySouth Island9.9°C
Sandfly BaySouth Island9.9°C
Allans BeachSouth Island9.8°C
Oreti BeachSouth Island9.8°C
Westport North BeachSouth Island9.8°C
Hokitika BeachSouth Island9.8°C
Sumner BeachSouth Island9.7°C
New Brighton BeachSouth Island9.7°C
Curio BaySouth Island9.7°C
Birdlings FlatSouth Island9.6°C
Akaroa BeachSouth Island9.5°C
Le Bons BaySouth Island9.5°C
Anchorage BaySouth Island9.4°C
Wharariki BeachSouth Island9.4°C
Kaka PointSouth Island9.4°C
St Clair BeachSouth Island9.4°C
Riverton BeachSouth Island9.4°C
Awaroa BeachSouth Island9.3°C

Sea temperature in New Zealand — FAQ

How warm is the sea in New Zealand in September?

The sea off New Zealand averages about 13.0°C in September, 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.