Does West Harbour need sun protection in winter?

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

Does the water make UV worse in West Harbour?

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 West Harbour today

Coastal West Harbour in Auckland is a high-exposure pocket. At 36.8°S the summer UV index commonly hits 9–11 (very high to extreme), and glare off the water means you get it from above and below. This is warm-temperate New Zealand: a long protection season from early spring through autumn, with clear winter days that can still burn.

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

Today and tomorrow in West Harbour

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for West Harbour. 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 West Harbour can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When West Harbour needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in West Harbour typically from September through April, and any other 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 West Harbour need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In West Harbour that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart NZ and NIWA use the same UV Index scale as Australia.
Does West Harbour need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in West Harbour often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Auckland) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Does the water make UV worse in West Harbour?: 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.