O'Neills Bay Surf Break

O'Neills Bay Sea Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Lat Long: 36.88° S 174.44° E

Issued: 11 am 26 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's O'Neills Bay sea temperature is
15.2° C

Normal for this time of year

Today's O'Neills Bay sea temperature is 15.2 °C

(Normal for this time of year)

Mean: 15.5 °C
Range: 14.1 °C to 16.3 °C
Statistics for 26 Jun (1981–2005)
  • neoprene wetsuit hood for warmth and a watertight seal in cold sea temperatures
  • neoprene gloves for warmth, grip, and protection in cold temperatures

Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit, a neoprene hood and gloves.

The water temperature (15 °C) at O'Neills Bay is quite cool. You will need a quality spring wetsuit, and maybe neoprene hood because it will be cloudy with an effective air temperature of just (7 °C). Gloves are a good idea, neoprene boots optional.

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 O'Neills 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.

O'Neills 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.

O'Neills Bay water temperatures peak in the range 19 to 22°C (66 to 72°F) on around the 9th of February and are at their minimum on about the 29th of August, in the range 13 to 15°C (55 to 59°F). O'Neills Bay water temperatures are highest 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 minimum water temperatures at O'Neills Bay in late 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 O'Neills 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 O'Neills Bay. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

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