Tolaga Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.38° S 178.31° E

Tolaga Bay Sea Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Issued: 5 pm 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Tolaga Bay sea temperature is
14.5° C
0.0° 

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 14.5 °C

(Normal for this time of year (within 0.0° of average))

Mean: 14.5 °C
Range: 13.5 °C to 15.5 °C
Statistics for 05 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

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

The water temperature (14 °C) at Tolaga Bay is quite cool. You will need a quality spring wetsuit, and maybe neoprene hood because it will be cloudy with an effective air temperature of just (5 °C). Gloves are a good idea, neoprene boots optional.

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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