Tolaga Bay Surf Break

Tolaga Bay Sea Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Lat Long: 38.38° S 178.31° E

Issued: 11 am 21 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Tolaga Bay sea temperature is
14.9° C

Slightly cooler than normal

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 14.9 °C

(Slightly cooler than normal)

Mean: 15.4 °C
Range: 14.1 °C to 16.9 °C
Statistics for 21 Jun (1981–2005)

    Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit.

    The water temperature (14 °C) at Tolaga Bay is quite cool. If the sun shines as we have forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a good spring wetsuit. Effective windchill factor of (16 °C) will make the air and water feel about the same temperature.

    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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