Otago Peninsula – Boulder Beach Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (9 °C) at Otago Peninsula - Boulder Beach is very cold. Despite the sun, surfers will need to wear a good steamer wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. Relatively mild air temperatures and a windchill factor of (11 °C).

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 Otago Peninsula - Boulder Beach. 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.

Otago Peninsula - Boulder Beach sea temperatures peak in the range 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F) on around the 8th of February and are at their lowest on about the 9th of August, in the range 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F). The maximum sea temperatures at Otago Peninsula - Boulder Beach 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 lowest sea temperatures at Otago Peninsula - Boulder Beach 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 in early to mid August.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Otago Peninsula - Boulder Beach 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 Otago Peninsula - Boulder Beach. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.