Is March a good time for surfing at Punakaiki?
March is a fair month for surfing at Punakaiki; the best time is June–August. Waves 0.8 m, water 18°C (4/3 wetsuit), air 18°C.
Plan your trip to PunakaikiEvery month at a glance, daily wind and waves from years of weather statistics, photos, videos and local tips.Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Waves: 0.8 m on average (daily maximum)
- Water: 18°C, 4/3 wetsuit
- Air: 18°C by day, 14°C at night
- Weather: 25 sunny days, 16 rainy days
Wave height: average daily maximum. Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Best time to go →Other spots for surfing in March
1
MarGOOD
Ahipara
New Zealand
2.1 m waves20° water22° air
788 km away · Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ KAT 16 km
2
MarGOOD
Manu Bay
Raglan · New Zealand
2 m waves20° water21° air
562 km away · Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ HLZ 46 km
3
MarGOOD
Wainui Beach
Gisborne · New Zealand
2.2 m waves20° water21° air
686 km away · Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ GIS 9 km
4
MarGOOD
Opunake
New Zealand
2 m waves19° water19° air
364 km away · Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 57 km
5
MarGOOD
Lyall Bay
Wellington · New Zealand
2.2 m waves18° water18° air
301 km away · Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ WLG 1 km
6
MarGOOD
Stent Road
Taranaki · New Zealand
1.9 m waves19° water20° air
381 km away · Advanced only · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 43 km
Within 1,500 km, ranked by wave height and, a little, warm water.
Other surfing spots in New Zealand in March →Where to go surfing in March →Questions
Is March a good time for surfing at Punakaiki?
March is a fair month for surfing at Punakaiki; the best time is June–August. Waves 0.8 m, water 18°C (4/3 wetsuit), air 18°C.
How warm is the water at Punakaiki in March?
About 18°C: 4/3 wetsuit.
How big are the waves at Punakaiki in March?
About 0.8 m on average (daily maximum).
What is the weather like at Punakaiki in March?
Around 18°C by day and 14°C at night, with about 25 sunny and 16 rainy days.
Where else can I go surfing in March?
Within 1,500 km: Ahipara (2.1 m waves), Raglan – Manu Bay (2 m waves) & Gisborne – Wainui Beach (2.2 m waves).
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