Best Time to Ride · Tapuaetahi vs Taupō Bay
Tapuaetahi vs Taupō Bay: which is better for surfing?
Tapuaetahi or Taupō Bay? 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
- Tapuaetahi has bigger waves in 11 of 12 months.
- Tapuaetahi and Taupō Bay have about the same water temperature.
- Best months at Tapuaetahi: April.
- Best months at Taupō Bay: April–September.
- 30 km apart.
BestApr
Tapuaetahi
New Zealand
Advanced only · 20°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ KKE 16 km
Wave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.51.41.31.81.61.61.61.51.31.41.31.3
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND212221201917161616161819
Best time to go →
BestApr–Sep
Taupō Bay
New Zealand
Intermediate and up · 17°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ KKE 35 km
Wave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.21.11.11.41.41.31.41.31.31.21.11.1
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND212221201817161516161820
Best time to go →Wave height: average daily maximum. Water: average sea surface temperature.