Dinner Plates Surf Break

Lat Long: 46.68° S 169.02° E

Dinner Plates Sea Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Issued: 5 am 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dinner Plates sea temperature is
11.0° C
1.5° 

Dinner Plates surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.

Today's Dinner Plates sea temperature is 11.0 °C

(1.5° warmer than normal for this time of year)

Mean: 9.5 °C
Range: 8.1 °C to 10.6 °C
Statistics for 06 Aug (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
  • wetsuit boots for warmth, grip, and protection in cold temperatures

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

Cold Dinner Plates water temperature (11 °C) today. Despite the sunshine, we suggest wearing a thick winter wetsuit, and ideally a neoprene hood, gloves and boots too because of the windchill will make air temperatures feel close to freezing.

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 Dinner Plates. 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.

Dinner Plates 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.

Dinner Plates sea water temperatures peak in the range 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F) on around the 10th of February and are at their lowest on about the 31st of August, in the range 8 to 11°C (46 to 52°F). The highest sea water temperatures at Dinner Plates in early to mid February 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. At its lowest at the end of August, low sea water temperatures at Dinner Plates are suited to a 5/4mm or 5/3mm good quality wetsuit with neoprene gloves and 3mm boots. You will need a hood if it's windy or the air is cold.

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

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