Is January a good time for surfing at Te Ārai Point?
January is a fair month for surfing at Te Ārai Point; the best time is July–August. Waves 0.7 m, water 21°C (3/2 wetsuit), air 22°C.
Plan your trip to Te Ārai PointEvery 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: 0.7 m on average (daily maximum)
- Water: 21°C, 3/2 wetsuit
- Air: 22°C by day, 17°C at night
- Weather: 27 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 January
1
JanGOOD
Wainui Beach
Gisborne · New Zealand
2 m waves20° water22° air
413 km away · Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ GIS 9 km
2
JanGOOD
Ahipara
New Zealand
1.8 m waves20° water23° air
175 km away · Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ KAT 16 km
3
JanGOOD
Opunake
New Zealand
1.8 m waves19° water21° air
373 km away · Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 57 km
4
JanGOOD
Lyall Bay
Wellington · New Zealand
1.9 m waves18° water20° air
575 km away · Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ WLG 1 km
5
JanGOOD
Manu Bay
Raglan · New Zealand
1.7 m waves20° water22° air
185 km away · Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ HLZ 46 km
6
JanGOOD
St Clair
Dunedin · New Zealand
1.9 m waves15° water19° air
1139 km away · Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ DUD 23 km
Within 1,500 km, ranked by wave height and, a little, warm water.
Where to go surfing in January →Questions
Is January a good time for surfing at Te Ārai Point?
January is a fair month for surfing at Te Ārai Point; the best time is July–August. Waves 0.7 m, water 21°C (3/2 wetsuit), air 22°C.
How warm is the water at Te Ārai Point in January?
About 21°C: 3/2 wetsuit.
How big are the waves at Te Ārai Point in January?
About 0.7 m on average (daily maximum).
What is the weather like at Te Ārai Point in January?
Around 22°C by day and 17°C at night, with about 27 sunny and 16 rainy days.
Where else can I go surfing in January?
Within 1,500 km: Gisborne – Wainui Beach (2 m waves), Ahipara (1.8 m waves) & Opunake (1.8 m waves).
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