Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feeling like 23 °C once we account for wind), and similar sea temperatures (21 °C). Wear boardshorts or a shorty, or better still a thin summer wetsuit to keep the UV off.

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 Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks. 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.

Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks water temperatures peak in the range 20 to 23°C (68 to 73°F) on around the 7th of February and are at their minimum on about the 20th of August, in the range 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F). Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks water temperatures are warmest 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 minimum water temperatures at Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks in mid to 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 Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks 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 Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.