Poor Knights Islands Water Temperature
Updated Thu 13:46 (Pacific/Auckland)
New Zealand · Forecast updated Sep 24, 2026, 13:46 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
15.9°C
60.6°F
Cold water
Valid Sep 24, 2026, 13:46 (Pacific/Auckland). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
Close to average
The typical September average is 15.8°C (60.4°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Holding fairly steady
Seven-day average: 16.0°C, versus 16.1°C in the prior seven days.
What to wear
Cold water
Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Cold tolerance varies. Wind, session length, sunshine, and exertion also affect comfort; temperature alone does not describe sea conditions or replace the snorkel forecast.
Typical Sea Temperature Over the Year
In the historical baseline for Poor Knights Islands, typical monthly averages range from about 15.4°C (59.7°F) in August to 21.8°C (71.2°F) in February.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Poor Knights Islands has been 16.2°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Poor Knights Islands, calculated from hourly observations for 2023–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20.4–21.0°C | 20.8°C / 69.4°F |
| February | 21.7–21.9°C | 21.8°C / 71.2°F |
| March | 20.6–21.8°C | 21.3°C / 70.3°F |
| April | 19.9–20.3°C | 20.2°C / 68.4°F |
| May | 18.5–19.6°C | 19.0°C / 66.2°F |
| June | 17.1–17.4°C | 17.3°C / 63.1°F |
| July | 15.8–16.4°C | 16.1°C / 61.0°F |
| August | 15.1–15.6°C | 15.4°C / 59.7°F |
| September | 15.6–16.0°C | 15.8°C / 60.4°F |
| October | 16.0–16.2°C | 16.1°C / 61.0°F |
| November | 17.5–18.6°C | 17.9°C / 64.2°F |
| December | 19.3–19.9°C | 19.6°C / 67.3°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-35.46, 174.71). Each month is the mean of yearly monthly means; the range is the lowest and highest of those yearly monthly means. Open-Meteo methodology.
Water temperature by month
Each month uses the 2023–2025 baseline. The range is the lowest and highest yearly monthly mean, not an hourly extreme.
Poor Knights Islands in January
Typical January water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 20.8°C (69.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 20.4–21.0°C.
Poor Knights Islands in February
Typical February water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 21.8°C (71.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 21.7–21.9°C.
Poor Knights Islands in March
Typical March water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 21.3°C (70.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 20.6–21.8°C.
Poor Knights Islands in April
Typical April water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 20.2°C (68.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 19.9–20.3°C.
Poor Knights Islands in May
Typical May water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 19.0°C (66.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 18.5–19.6°C.
Poor Knights Islands in June
Typical June water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 17.3°C (63.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 17.1–17.4°C.
Poor Knights Islands in July
Typical July water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 16.1°C (61.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 15.8–16.4°C.
Poor Knights Islands in August
Typical August water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 15.4°C (59.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 15.1–15.6°C.
Poor Knights Islands in September
Typical September water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 15.8°C (60.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 15.6–16.0°C.
Poor Knights Islands in October
Typical October water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 16.1°C (61.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 16.0–16.2°C.
Poor Knights Islands in November
Typical November water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 17.9°C (64.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 17.5–18.6°C.
Poor Knights Islands in December
Typical December water temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 19.6°C (67.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 19.3–19.9°C.
Forecast archive (growing)
These values come from hourly forecasts SnorkelForecast has stored. They cover only months with records and do not replace the historical baseline.
| Month | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 17.4°C / 63.3°F | 18.1°C / 64.7°F | 18.8°C / 65.8°F |
| July | 16.5°C / 61.7°F | 16.9°C / 62.5°F | 17.4°C / 63.3°F |
| August | 15.9°C / 60.6°F | 16.2°C / 61.2°F | 16.6°C / 61.9°F |
| September | 15.8°C / 60.4°F | 16.1°C / 61.0°F | 16.5°C / 61.7°F |
Partial coverage: 4 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 2782 hourly forecast records across 4 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Poor Knights Islands
Subtropical reserve islands rated among the world's best for clear-water snorkeling.
- Area
- Northland
Poor Knights Islands Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Poor Knights Islands today?
The current sea surface temperature near Poor Knights Islands is 15.9°C (60.6°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 16.2°C.
When is the water warmest in Poor Knights Islands?
The water is typically warmest in February, at around 21.8°C (71.2°F) in the 2023–2025 historical baseline.
When is the water coldest in Poor Knights Islands?
The water is typically coldest in August, at around 15.4°C (59.7°F) in the same historical baseline. A wetsuit is usually recommended during this period.
Can you swim in Poor Knights Islands today?
At 15.9°C the water is cold. A thick wetsuit is strongly recommended.
Full Snorkeling Forecast
See how today's sea temperature, wave height, wind, and tides combine into a detailed snorkeling score for Poor Knights Islands.
View Snorkel Forecast →