Shipstern Bluff Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The Shipstern Bluff water temperature is rather cool (14 °C) 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 Australia Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current Australia 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 Shipstern Bluff. 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.

Shipstern Bluff sea temperatures peak in the range 14 to 17°C (57 to 63°F) on around the 14th of February and are at their lowest on about the 7th of August, in the range 11 to 13°C (52 to 55°F). The warmest seasonal sea temperatures at Shipstern Bluff in mid February lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. At its lowest in the first part of August, low sea temperatures at Shipstern Bluff 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 Shipstern Bluff 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 Shipstern Bluff. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.