Aramoana Spit Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (11 °C) at Aramoana Spit is rather cold today and the windchill (4 °C) will make the air temperature seem even colder, not helped by a lack of sunshine. You'll need a thick hooded winter wetsuit to keep your head warm and ideally neoprene gloves and neoprene boots too.

Map of current New Zealand Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current New Zealand Sea Water Temperature Anomalies (compared with long term averages at this time of year)

(click thumbnails to expand)

Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Aramoana Spit. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.

All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.

Aramoana Spit sea water temperatures peak in the range 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F) on around the 9th of February and are at their coldest on about the 1st of August, in the range 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F). The warmest sea water temperatures at Aramoana Spit in early to mid February are ideally suited to a 4/3mm wetsuit + 3mm boots, although a 5/3mm wetsuit may be preferable for longer sessions and cold windy days. The coldest sea water temperatures at Aramoana Spit mean that you will need a flexible 6/5/4mm wetsuit or a well fitting 5/4mm wetsuit with gloves and 5mm neoprene booties and a hood to surf here at the beginning of August.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Aramoana Spit can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Aramoana Spit. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.