Shag Rock Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Warm in and out of the water temperature at Shag Rock today, but forecast to be overcast. With sea temperatures of 20 °C / 69 °F and a wind chill of 20 °C / 68 °F, most surfers will choose a shorty or a summer suit or just board shorts.

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 Shag Rock. 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.

Shag Rock sea temperatures peak in the range 19 to 22°C (66 to 72°F) on around the 8th of February and are at their coldest on about the 19th of August, in the range 13 to 15°C (55 to 59°F). Shag Rock sea temperatures are warmest in early to mid February. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up. The coldest sea temperatures at Shag Rock in the third week of August 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.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Shag Rock 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 Shag Rock. 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.