Does Mahina Bay need sun protection in winter?

Not every day. Midwinter middays in Mahina Bay often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Wellington) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.

Does the water make UV worse in Mahina Bay?

It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered (including under the chin and on the tops of feet) picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.

UV index in Mahina Bay today

Mahina Bay sits on the Wellington coast at 41.3°S, where sand and water bounce extra UV onto uncovered skin. Sea breeze cools the air, not the ultraviolet: summer middays here typically reach 8–10 (very high). This is cool-temperate New Zealand: summer UV still climbs into the very high band, and spring arrives before the weather feels hot.

Live reading · data by Open-Meteo · reference monitoring by ARPANSA

Today and tomorrow in Mahina Bay

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Mahina Bay. Tomorrow’s peak is the number to plan around if you’re heading out in the middle of the day.

Weather conditions right now

Cloud and rain cut heat more than they cut UV. A partly cloudy beach day in Mahina Bay can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Mahina Bay needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Mahina Bay typically from October through March, and any spring or autumn day UV reaches 3. On the water or the sand, reflection can lift your dose even when the forecast UV already looks high.

The threshold, per SunSmart and ARPANSA: whenever UV reaches 3 or above, Slip on covering clothing, Slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses. Read the full sun safety guide.

The UV scale at a glance

0–2Low
3–5Moderate
6–7High
8–10Very high
11+Extreme

Frequently asked questions

When does Mahina Bay need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Mahina Bay that is typically from October through March, and any spring or autumn day UV reaches 3. SunSmart NZ and NIWA use the same UV Index scale as Australia.
Does Mahina Bay need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in Mahina Bay often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Wellington) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Does the water make UV worse in Mahina Bay?: It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered (including under the chin and on the tops of feet) picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.