SwimTemperature logoSwimTemperature
Open live map
All countries

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 Island15.7°C
Paraparaumu BeachNorth Island15.7°C
Browns BayNorth Island15.6°C
New Chums BeachNorth Island15.6°C
Lyall BayNorth Island15.6°C
Himatangi BeachNorth Island15.6°C
Whangamata BeachNorth Island15.5°C
Scorching BayNorth Island15.5°C
Days BayNorth Island15.5°C
Mount Beach TaranakiNorth Island15.5°C
Ocean Beach NapierNorth Island15.4°C
Fitzroy BeachNorth Island15.4°C
Takapuna BeachNorth Island15.3°C
Orewa BeachNorth Island15.3°C
Hahei BeachNorth Island15.3°C
Waihi BeachNorth Island15.3°C
Russell BeachNorth Island15.3°C
Muriwai BeachNorth Island15.2°C
Pakiri BeachNorth Island15.2°C
Riversdale BeachNorth Island15.2°C
Waikanae BeachNorth Island15.2°C
Ninety Mile BeachNorth Island15.2°C
Whangarei Heads OceanNorth Island15.2°C
Cheltenham BeachNorth Island15.1°C
Papamoa BeachNorth Island15.1°C
Gisborne WaikanaeNorth Island15.1°C
Goat Island BeachNorth Island15.0°C
Napier Marine ParadeNorth Island15.0°C
Sandy BayNorth Island15.0°C
Milford BeachNorth Island14.9°C
Narrow NeckNorth Island14.9°C
Castlepoint BeachNorth Island14.9°C
Coopers BeachNorth Island14.9°C
Paihia BeachNorth Island14.9°C
Piha BeachNorth Island14.8°C
Karekare BeachNorth Island14.8°C
Hot Water BeachNorth Island14.8°C
Mathesons BayNorth Island14.7°C
Whangarei Ocean BeachNorthland14.7°C
Tapotupotu BayNorthland14.7°C
Long BayNorth Island14.6°C
Omaha BeachNorth Island14.6°C
Cathedral CoveNorth Island14.6°C
Wainui BeachNorth Island14.6°C
Palm Beach WaihekeAuckland14.6°C
Matarangi BeachCoromandel14.6°C
Whale BayNorthland14.6°C
Langs BeachNorthland14.6°C
Spirits BayNorthland14.6°C
Scorching BayWellington14.6°C
Tokomaru BayGisborne14.6°C
Anaura BayGisborne14.6°C
Pohara BeachNelson14.6°C
Cable Bay NelsonNelson14.6°C
Waimairi BeachCanterbury14.6°C
Le Bons BayCanterbury14.6°C
Punakaiki BeachWest Coast14.6°C
Carters BeachWest Coast14.6°C
Mount MaunganuiNorth Island14.5°C
Ohope BeachNorth Island14.5°C
Tairua BeachCoromandel14.5°C
Woolleys BayNorthland14.5°C
Wharariki BeachNelson14.5°C
Colac BaySouthland14.5°C
Rapahoe BeachWest Coast14.5°C
Bethells BeachNorth Island14.4°C
St Heliers BeachAuckland14.4°C
Oneroa BeachAuckland14.4°C
East End BeachTaranaki14.4°C
Oakura BeachTaranaki14.4°C
Torrent BayNelson14.4°C
Rabbit IslandNelson14.4°C
Rarangi BeachMarlborough14.4°C
Robin Hood BayMarlborough14.4°C
Okains BayCanterbury14.4°C
Warrington BeachOtago14.4°C
Karitane BeachOtago14.4°C
Oreti BeachSouthland14.4°C
Bruce BayWest Coast14.4°C
Mission BayNorth Island14.3°C
Foxton BeachNorth Island14.3°C
Matapouri BayNorth Island14.3°C
Cable BayNorthland14.3°C
Matauri BayNorthland14.3°C
Sponge BayGisborne14.3°C
Waikuku BeachCanterbury14.3°C
Katiki BeachOtago14.3°C
Ship CreekWest Coast14.3°C
Kuaotunu BeachCoromandel14.2°C
Long Beach RussellNorthland14.2°C
Petone BeachWellington14.2°C
Kaiti BeachGisborne14.2°C
Monkey Island BeachSouthland14.2°C
Bream BayNorthland14.1°C
Bowentown BeachBay of Plenty14.1°C
Riversdale BeachWairarapa14.1°C
Ocean Beach HawkesHawkes Bay14.1°C
Bark BayNelson14.1°C
Purakaunui BeachOtago14.1°C
Kaitoke Beach GBIAuckland14.0°C
Cathedral Cove DoubtlessNorthland14.0°C
Paekakariki BeachWellington14.0°C
Kaikoura PeninsulaCanterbury14.0°C
Kohimarama BeachAuckland13.9°C
Pauanui BeachCoromandel13.9°C
Oke BayNorthland13.9°C
Pukehina BeachBay of Plenty13.9°C
Back BeachTaranaki13.9°C
Long Beach DunedinOtago13.9°C
Cooks BeachCoromandel13.8°C
Otama BeachCoromandel13.8°C
Rarawa BeachNorthland13.8°C
Omanu BeachBay of Plenty13.8°C
Anchorage BayNelson13.8°C
Red BeachAuckland13.7°C
Tokerau BeachNorthland13.7°C
Wainuiomata BeachWellington13.7°C
Makorori BeachGisborne13.7°C
Moeraki Boulders BeachOtago13.7°C
Great Barrier MedlandsAuckland13.6°C
Matapouri BeachNorthland13.6°C
Sandy Bay TutukakaNorthland13.6°C
Ninety Mile BeachNorthland13.6°C
Westshore BeachHawkes Bay13.6°C
Onemana BeachCoromandel13.5°C
Whangapoua BeachCoromandel13.5°C
Whakatane BeachBay of Plenty13.5°C
Worser BayWellington13.5°C
Owhiro BayWellington13.5°C
Waimarama BeachHawkes Bay13.5°C
Opunake BeachTaranaki13.5°C
Onetahuti BeachNelson13.5°C
Gillespies BeachWest Coast13.5°C
Waiheke OnetangiAuckland13.4°C
Opoutere BeachCoromandel13.4°C
Waipu CoveNorthland13.4°C
Ruakaka BeachNorthland13.4°C
Coopers BeachNorthland13.4°C
Ahipara BeachNorthland13.4°C
Shipwreck BayNorthland13.4°C
Otaki BeachWellington13.4°C
Split Apple RockNelson13.4°C
Mapua BeachNelson13.4°C
Farewell SpitNelson13.4°C
Onepoto BeachMarlborough13.4°C
North Beach ChristchurchCanterbury13.4°C
Spencer ParkCanterbury13.4°C
Cape FoulwindWest Coast13.4°C
Tolaga BayGisborne13.3°C
Porpoise BaySouthland13.3°C
Aramoana BeachSouth Island11.7°C
Greymouth BeachSouth Island11.7°C
Kaiteriteri BeachSouth Island11.6°C
Totaranui BeachSouth Island11.6°C
Brighton Beach DunedinSouth Island11.5°C
Pohatu BeachSouth Island11.3°C
Kaikoura South BaySouth Island11.3°C
Marahau BeachSouth Island11.2°C
St Kilda Beach DunedinSouth Island11.2°C
Taylors MistakeSouth Island11.1°C
Tahunanui BeachSouth Island10.9°C
Caroline BaySouth Island10.9°C
Sandfly BaySouth Island10.9°C
Allans BeachSouth Island10.8°C
Oreti BeachSouth Island10.8°C
Westport North BeachSouth Island10.8°C
Hokitika BeachSouth Island10.8°C
Sumner BeachSouth Island10.7°C
New Brighton BeachSouth Island10.7°C
Curio BaySouth Island10.7°C
Birdlings FlatSouth Island10.6°C
Akaroa BeachSouth Island10.5°C
Le Bons BaySouth Island10.5°C
Anchorage BaySouth Island10.4°C
Wharariki BeachSouth Island10.4°C
Kaka PointSouth Island10.4°C
St Clair BeachSouth Island10.4°C
Riverton BeachSouth Island10.4°C
Awaroa BeachSouth Island10.3°C

Sea temperature in New Zealand — FAQ

How warm is the sea in New Zealand in October?

The sea off New Zealand averages about 14.0°C in October, 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.