Great Exhibition Bay Surf Break

Great Exhibition Bay Sea Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Lat Long: 34.66° S 173.03° E

Issued: 11 pm 09 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Great Exhibition Bay sea temperature is
18.2° C

1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year

Great Exhibition Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.

Today's Great Exhibition Bay sea temperature is 18.2 °C

(1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Mean: 17.0 °C
Range: 16.0 °C to 18.0 °C
Statistics for 09 Jun (1981–2005)

    Today, many surfers would wear a summer wetsuit.

    The water temperature (18 °C) at Great Exhibition Bay is relatively warm. If the sun does come out as forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a summer wetsuit. Effective air temperature of 14 °C.

    New Zealand Sea Water Temperature

    Map of current New Zealand
    Surface Water Temperatures

    (based on measurements from oceanographic satellites)
    New Zealand Water Temperature Anomaly

    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 Great Exhibition 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.

    Great Exhibition Bay Water Temperature Graph

    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.

    Great Exhibition Bay sea water temperatures peak in the range 20 to 23°C (68 to 73°F) on around the 7th of February and are at their lowest on about the 26th of August, in the range 14 to 17°C (57 to 63°F). Great Exhibition Bay sea water temperatures are maximum in the first part of February. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The lowest seasonal sea water temperatures at Great Exhibition Bay in the fourth week of August lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots.

    Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Great Exhibition 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 Great Exhibition Bay. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

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