INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Poor Knights Islands Water Temperature
Updated Sun 15:58 (Pacific/Auckland)
New Zealand · Forecast updated Nov 8, 2026, 15:58 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
17.7°C
63.9°F
Cold water
Valid Nov 8, 2026, 15:58 (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 November average is 17.9°C (64.2°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Warming by 0.4°C
Seven-day average: 17.3°C, versus 16.9°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 16.9°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 2022–2025. 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 2022–2025 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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: December 19.6°C · February 21.8°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: January 20.8°C · March 21.3°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: February 21.8°C · April 20.2°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: March 21.3°C · May 19.0°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: April 20.2°C · June 17.3°C.
Explore Poor Knights Islands sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: May 19.0°C · July 16.1°C.
Explore Poor Knights Islands sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: June 17.3°C · August 15.4°C.
Explore Poor Knights Islands sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: July 16.1°C · September 15.8°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: August 15.4°C · October 16.1°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: September 15.8°C · November 17.9°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cold water. Use a full 3-5 mm wetsuit and keep the session within your cold-water experience.
Adjacent months: October 16.1°C · December 19.6°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: November 17.9°C · January 20.8°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 |
| October | 15.8°C / 60.4°F | 16.6°C / 61.9°F | 17.7°C / 63.9°F |
| November | 16.8°C / 62.2°F | 17.3°C / 63.1°F | 17.8°C / 64.0°F |
Partial coverage: 6 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 3864 hourly forecast records across 6 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 17.7°C (63.9°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 16.9°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 2022–2025 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?
The water is 17.7°C. It may feel cool, but a wetsuit or short swims can help.
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 →