The Bluff-North Side Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The The Bluff-North Side water temperature is reasonably warm (18 °C) and the air temperature will similar (windchill forecast 17 °C). A good quality summer wetsuit would be ideal.

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 The Bluff-North Side. 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.

The Bluff-North Side sea 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 21st of August, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). The Bluff-North Side sea 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 temperatures at The Bluff-North Side in mid to late 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 The Bluff-North Side 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 The Bluff-North Side. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.