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Warmest sea in New Zealand in May

245 coastal locations in New Zealand ranked by their typical May sea temperature. Region-wide average in May: 16.5°C. The top of the list is where to find the warmest swimming this month.

Warmest in May

Fishing Rock

21.9°C May mean in New Zealand

Regional May average

16.5°C

across all 245 coastal locations in New Zealand

Vs annual mean

+0.2°C

above the year-round regional average

What the New Zealand sea feels like in May

At this temperature, water will feel cold compared to a swimming pool, but with a bit of experience and practice most people will find the water relatively comfortable to swim in.

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 May fits in the year

May 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 May 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 May

Sorted by the typical May 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 May mean
1 Fishing Rock Sugar Loaf Islands 21.9°C
2 Bay of Islands 19.2°C
3 Coopers Beach 19.2°C
4 Whangamumu Harbour Northland 19.1°C
5 Kerikeri 19.1°C
6 Paihia 19.1°C
7 Russell 19.1°C
8 Waitangi (Northland) 19.1°C
9 Waitangi 19.1°C
10 Matapouri 19.0°C
11 Ngunguru 19.0°C
12 North Cape (Otou) Northland 19.0°C
13 Tutukaka 19.0°C
14 Waiiti Bay Northland 19.0°C
15 Doves Bay Northland 19.0°C
16 Opua Northland 19.0°C
17 Doubtless Bay 19.0°C
18 Karikari Peninsula 19.0°C
19 Taipa 19.0°C
20 Mangonui 19.0°C
21 Bay of Plenty 18.9°C
22 Whangaroa Northland 18.9°C
23 Cape Reinga 18.8°C
24 Manawatāwhi/Great Island - North West Bay Area Outside Territorial Authority 18.8°C
25 Whangarei 18.8°C
Show 25 more ▸
26 Kaitaia 18.7°C
27 Burgess Island (Pokohinu) Auckland 18.7°C
28 Kotiatia Point Northland 18.7°C
29 Lottin Point Gisborne 18.6°C
30 Korotiti Bay Auckland 18.6°C
31 Nagle Cove Auckland 18.6°C
32 Cape Maria van Diemen Te Tai-tokerau 18.6°C
33 Cathedral Cove 18.6°C
34 Hahei 18.6°C
35 Hot Water Beach 18.6°C
36 Pauanui 18.6°C
37 Tairua 18.6°C
38 Whangamata 18.6°C
39 Ruakaka 18.6°C
40 Goat Island 18.5°C
41 Huruhi Harbour Waikato 18.5°C
42 Marsden Point Northland 18.5°C
43 Portland Wharf Northland 18.5°C
44 Papamoa 18.5°C
45 Ahipara 18.5°C
46 Slipper Island (Whakahau) Waikato 18.5°C
47 Tapuaetahi Bay (Boat Harbour) Waikato 18.5°C
48 Kohukohu Northland 18.4°C
49 Ngatehe Point Northland 18.4°C
50 Opononi Northland 18.4°C

Coldest 10 in New Zealand in May

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

# Location May mean
1 Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku - Perseverance Harbour New Zealand Outlying Islands 8.6°C
2 Auckland Island - Carnley Harbour Auckland 10.0°C
3 Kaka Point 12.2°C
4 Dunedin 12.3°C
5 Portobello 12.3°C
6 Green Island Otago 12.7°C
7 Port Chalmers Otago 12.8°C
8 Spit Wharf Otago 12.8°C
9 Nugget Point Otago 12.8°C
10 Snares Islands/Tini Heke - North East Island New Zealand Outlying Islands 12.9°C

More on this region