Gough Bay Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (11 °C) at Gough Bay is quite cold. Despite the sun, windchill of 8 °C means that surfers will need plenty of neoprene. Wear a quality winter wetsuit, a neoprene hood, gloves and boots. A windchill factor of (8 °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 Gough Bay. 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.

Gough Bay sea water temperatures peak in the range 14 to 17°C (57 to 63°F) on around the 12th of February and are at their lowest on about the 8th of August, in the range 8 to 10°C (46 to 50°F). The warmest seasonal sea water temperatures at Gough Bay in the second week of February lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The lowest sea water temperatures at Gough Bay 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 Gough Bay 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 Gough Bay. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.