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 be in the water. But December to February is busy with New Zealanders on their own vacations. Snow covers the mountains from June through October. 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. Look into local festival schedules, such as Marlborough's Wine and Food Festival in February, Kaikoura's SeaFest in October, and Hokitika's Wildfoods Festival in March.