Aoraki Mount Cook vs Kaikōura: which is better, month by month

Kaikōura beats Aoraki Mount Cook in 4 of 12 months — its lead peaks in September (72 vs 60) — and they are within 3 points in December to July.

Each place is scored under the lens that suits its type — they are different kinds of destination, so the scores are each place at its own best. Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 estimate from ERA5 climate normals, not a forecast.

Aoraki Mount Cook

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: February 84/100
Months won: 0 of 12

Kaikōura

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: January 83/100
Months won: 4 of 12

Aoraki Mount Cook vs Kaikōura — all 12 months

Month	Aoraki Mount Cook	Kaikōura	Winner	Gap
January	82Anice, soaked, clean air	83Anice, a little rain, clean air	Tie	1
February	84Anice, soaked, clean air	82Anice, rainy, clean air	Tie	2
March	81Anice, soaked, clean air	80Anice, a little rain, clean air	Tie	1
April	72Bcool, soaked, clean air	70Bnice, rainy, clean air	Tie	2
May	63Ccold, soaked, clean air	63Ccool, rainy, clean air	Tie	0
June	59Dcold, soaked, clean air	57Dcool, rainy, clean air	Tie	2
July	55Dcold, soaked, clean air	57Dcool, rainy, clean air	Tie	2
August	61Ccold, soaked, clean air	66Ccool, a little rain, clean air	Kaikōura	5
September	60Ccold, soaked, clean air	72Bcool, a little rain, clean air	Kaikōura	12
October	67Ccold, soaked, clean air	75Bnice, rainy, clean air	Kaikōura	8
November	74Bcool, soaked, clean air	78Bnice, rainy, clean air	Kaikōura	4
December	77Bnice, soaked, clean air	77Bnice, rainy, clean air	Tie	0

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is September (60 vs 72). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.