Tolaga Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.38° S 178.31° E

Tolaga Bay Sea Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Issued: 6 pm 10 Nov 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Tolaga Bay sea temperature is
16.3°C
0.3° 

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

Today's Tolaga Bay sea temperature is 16.3 °C

(Normal for this time of year (within 0.3° of average))

Mean: 16.0 °C
Range: 14.2 °C to 17.3 °C
Statistics for 10 Nov (1981–2005)

    Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit.

    Sunny with pleasantly warm air temperatures (feels like 21 °C) at Tolaga Bay, yet the sea remains several degrees colder than the air. Most surfers will need a spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session.

    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 Tolaga 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.

    Tolaga 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.

    Tolaga Bay sea temperatures peak in the range 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) on around the 7th of February and are at their lowest on about the 24th of August, in the range 13 to 15°C (55 to 59°F). Tolaga Bay sea 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 lowest sea temperatures at Tolaga Bay in the fourth week of 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 Tolaga 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 Tolaga Bay. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

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