When to go · Kaikoura
Kaikoura, month by month
The best months for Kaikoura: Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatInside Kaikoura's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range.22 °C / 12 °C, 7 rain days72 °F / 54 °F, 7 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatInside Kaikoura's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range.22 °C / 12 °C, 6 rain days72 °F / 54 °F, 6 rain daysCrowds: High
- MarchGreatInside Kaikoura's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range.20 °C / 11 °C, 7 rain days68 °F / 52 °F, 7 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGoodOutside the best window (All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range). Across New Zealand: Autumn colour in Central Otago and Arrowtown; cooler nights, Easter and school holidays busy.17 °C / 8 °C, 8 rain days63 °F / 46 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayMixedOutside the best window (All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.15 °C / 6 °C, 8 rain days59 °F / 43 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JuneGreatInside Kaikoura's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range.12 °C / 3 °C, 9 rain days54 °F / 37 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyGreatInside Kaikoura's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range.11 °C / 2 °C, 9 rain days52 °F / 36 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustGreatInside Kaikoura's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range.12 °C / 3 °C, 8 rain days54 °F / 37 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- SeptemberMixedOutside the best window (All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range). Across New Zealand: Spring: lambs and blossom, but changeable weather and late snow; daylight saving starts late in the month.14 °C / 5 °C, 7 rain days57 °F / 41 °F, 7 rain daysCrowds: Low
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).16 °C / 7 °C, 8 rain days61 °F / 45 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGoodOutside the best window (All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range). Across New Zealand: Long days before the rush; the best value month for a summer-type trip.18 °C / 9 °C, 7 rain days64 °F / 48 °F, 7 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- DecemberGreatInside Kaikoura's best window: All year; Dec–Mar warmest, Jun–Aug for snow on the Seaward Kaikōura Range.21 °C / 11 °C, 7 rain days70 °F / 52 °F, 7 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday