West Shore Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.46° S 176.88° E

West Shore Beach Sea Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Issued: 11 pm 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's West Shore Beach sea temperature is
11.8° C
1.8° 

West Shore Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.

Today's West Shore Beach sea temperature is 11.8 °C

(1.8° colder than average for this time of year)

Mean: 13.6 °C
Range: 12.6 °C to 14.7 °C
Statistics for 09 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
  • wetsuit boots for warmth, grip, and protection in cold temperatures

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

Sunny with pleasant to warm air temperatures, yet the sea at West Shore Beach remains rather cold. Surfers will need a spring wetsuit and ideally neoprene hood, gloves and boots.

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 West Shore Beach. 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.

West Shore Beach 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.

West Shore Beach sea temperatures peak in the range 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F) on around the 9th of February and are at their coldest on about the 27th of August, in the range 12 to 14°C (54 to 57°F). The warmest West Shore Beach sea temperatures in early to mid February require something like a 3/2mm fully sealed wetsuit. The coldest sea temperatures at West Shore Beach in the last days 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 West Shore Beach 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 West Shore Beach. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

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