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Warmest sea in New Zealand in August

245 coastal locations in New Zealand ranked by their typical August sea temperature. Region-wide average in August: 13.6°C. The top of the list is where to find the warmest swimming this month.

Warmest in August

Fishing Rock

18.8°C August mean in New Zealand

Regional August average

13.6°C

across all 245 coastal locations in New Zealand

Vs annual mean

-2.7°C

below the year-round regional average

What the New Zealand sea feels like in August

Water at this temperature is cold and will feel very cold initially, but the body will get used to it and longer swims are possible. Experienced swimmers can manage several hours of swimming, however hypothermia is still a real risk.

New Zealand monthly average 13.6°C to 19.3°C
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  • Warmest month February 19.3°C
  • Coldest month August 13.6°C
  • Annual mean 16.3°C
  • Months above 20°C 0 of 12

Where August fits in the year

August sits inside the regional pattern shown on the left. Pick a different month to see how the ranking shifts.

All twelve New Zealand month rankings:

New Zealand sea temperature map (live)

The map shows today's latest reading at every New Zealand location. The list below is based on the typical August mean, useful for trip planning weeks or months ahead.

Zoom in to see individual locations. Click a pin for water temperatures. View list →
°C -2 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 24 27 30 35

Top 50 warmest New Zealand locations in August

Sorted by the typical August mean built from a decade of daily readings at each location. Click any place for its 30-day chart, monthly profile, and full 10-year history.

# Location August mean
1 Fishing Rock Sugar Loaf Islands 18.8°C
2 Coopers Beach 16.4°C
3 Bay of Islands 16.3°C
4 Waiiti Bay Northland 16.2°C
5 Kerikeri 16.2°C
6 North Cape (Otou) Northland 16.2°C
7 Whangamumu Harbour Northland 16.1°C
8 Doubtless Bay 16.1°C
9 Karikari Peninsula 16.1°C
10 Taipa 16.1°C
11 Manawatāwhi/Great Island - North West Bay Area Outside Territorial Authority 16.0°C
12 Whangaroa Northland 16.0°C
13 Mangonui 16.0°C
14 Paihia 16.0°C
15 Russell 16.0°C
16 Waitangi (Northland) 16.0°C
17 Waitangi 16.0°C
18 Doves Bay Northland 15.9°C
19 Opua Northland 15.9°C
20 Matapouri 15.9°C
21 Ngunguru 15.9°C
22 Tutukaka 15.9°C
23 Bay of Plenty 15.8°C
24 Cape Reinga 15.7°C
25 Kotiatia Point Northland 15.7°C
Show 25 more ▸
26 Kaitaia 15.7°C
27 Lottin Point Gisborne 15.7°C
28 Burgess Island (Pokohinu) Auckland 15.6°C
29 Whangarei 15.5°C
30 Cape Maria van Diemen Te Tai-tokerau 15.5°C
31 Ngatehe Point Northland 15.4°C
32 Houhora Harbour Entrance Northland 15.4°C
33 Pukenui Wharf Northland 15.4°C
34 Ahipara 15.4°C
35 Slipper Island (Whakahau) Waikato 15.3°C
36 Tapuaetahi Bay (Boat Harbour) Waikato 15.3°C
37 Korotiti Bay Auckland 15.3°C
38 Nagle Cove Auckland 15.3°C
39 Huruhi Harbour Waikato 15.3°C
40 Pauanui 15.3°C
41 Tairua 15.3°C
42 Whangamata 15.3°C
43 Cathedral Cove 15.3°C
44 Hahei 15.3°C
45 Hot Water Beach 15.3°C
46 Marsden Point Northland 15.2°C
47 Portland Wharf Northland 15.2°C
48 Ruakaka 15.2°C
49 East Cape Gisborne 15.2°C
50 Kohukohu Northland 15.2°C

Coldest 10 in New Zealand in August

Same data the other way. Helpful if you want to know which New Zealand coasts to avoid for swimming in August.

# Location August mean
1 Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku - Perseverance Harbour New Zealand Outlying Islands 7.5°C
2 Auckland Island - Carnley Harbour Auckland 8.7°C
3 Timaru 9.6°C
4 Sumner 9.6°C
5 Akaroa 9.8°C
6 Christchurch 9.8°C
7 Lyttelton 9.8°C
8 French Bay Canterbury 10.1°C
9 Tikao Bay Canterbury 10.1°C
10 Dunedin 10.2°C

More on this region