When to Go

When to Go

Nelson and Marlborough are pleasant year-round, but beach activities are best from December to mid-April if you plan to actually be in the water. December to February is the busiest time on walking tracks, with New Zealanders setting out on their own vacations. (Nelson, the Abel Tasman Track, and Golden Bay get especially crowded.) Snow covers the mountains from June through October, which is a beautiful sight from seaside Kaikoura. The best time to go whale-watching off Kaikoura is between October and August. The pleasures of winter weather around the West Coast glaciers -- clear skies and no snow at sea level -- are so far a well-kept local secret. Be sure to look into local festival schedules, such as Marlborough's Wine and Food Festival in February, Kaikoura's SeaFest in October, and Hokitika's Wild Foods Festival in March.