Scarborough Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The Scarborough water temperature is rather cool (14 °C / 58 °F) and the air temperature will feel about the same. A good quality spring wetsuit with optional neoprene boots should suffice. No need for wetsuit gloves.

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 Scarborough. 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.

Scarborough water temperatures peak in the range 14 to 17°C (57 to 63°F) on around the 12th of February and are at their minimum on about the 19th of August, in the range 8 to 10°C (46 to 50°F). The warmest seasonal water temperatures at Scarborough in the second week of February lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The minimum water temperatures at Scarborough 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 the third week of August.

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

Latest surface water temperature for the entire globe. Click the image to view a larger version.