Is January a good time for surfing at Woodpecker Bay?
January is outside the best season for surfing at Woodpecker Bay; the best time is July–September. Waves 0.6 m, water 19°C (3/2 wetsuit), air 21°C.
Plan your trip to Woodpecker BayEvery 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: 0.6 m on average (daily maximum)
- Water: 19°C, 3/2 wetsuit
- Air: 21°C by day, 14°C at night
- Weather: 27 sunny days, 15 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
678 km away · Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ GIS 9 km
2
JanGOOD
Ahipara
New Zealand
1.8 m waves20° water23° air
778 km away · Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ KAT 16 km
3
JanGOOD
Opunake
New Zealand
1.8 m waves19° water21° air
354 km away · Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 57 km
4
JanGOOD
Lyall Bay
Wellington · New Zealand
1.9 m waves18° water20° air
294 km away · Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ WLG 1 km
5
JanGOOD
Manu Bay
Raglan · New Zealand
1.7 m waves20° water22° air
552 km away · Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ HLZ 46 km
6
JanGOOD
St Clair
Dunedin · New Zealand
1.9 m waves15° water19° air
438 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 Woodpecker Bay?
January is outside the best season for surfing at Woodpecker Bay; the best time is July–September. Waves 0.6 m, water 19°C (3/2 wetsuit), air 21°C.
How warm is the water at Woodpecker Bay in January?
About 19°C: 3/2 wetsuit.
How big are the waves at Woodpecker Bay in January?
About 0.6 m on average (daily maximum).
What is the weather like at Woodpecker Bay in January?
Around 21°C by day and 14°C at night, with about 27 sunny and 15 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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