Best Time to Ride · Colac Bay / Ōraka vs Ōreti Beach
Colac Bay / Ōraka vs Ōreti Beach: which is better for surfing?
Colac Bay / Ōraka or Ōreti Beach? Month by month: windy days, waves and water temperature side by side, from years of weather data.
Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Colac Bay / Ōraka and Ōreti Beach have about the same wave height.
- Colac Bay / Ōraka has warmer water in 3 of 12 months.
- Best months at Colac Bay / Ōraka: June–August.
- Best months at Ōreti Beach: July–September.
- 27 km apart.
BestJun–Aug
Colac Bay / Ōraka
New Zealand
Beginner-friendly · 11°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ IVC 33 km
Wave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND0.60.70.911.21.51.61.51.41.20.80.8
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND161616141312111111121315
Best time to go →
BestJul–Sep
Ōreti Beach
New Zealand
Intermediate and up · 10°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ IVC 7 km
Wave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND0.60.70.80.91.21.31.51.61.61.31.10.7
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND161616141311101011121315
Best time to go →Wave height: average daily maximum. Water: average sea surface temperature.