SeasonMapKaikōura weather in December
New Zealand
December in Kaikōura: nice, rainy, with clean air — a great time to visit.
#5 of 12 months in Kaikōura · #542 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 77/100 (tier B)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Kaikōura in December
Other months in Kaikōura
Kaikōura's forum calls January reliable for whale watching — the resident sperm whales live in the Kaikōura Trench year-round, and sighting odds sit near 100% unless the weather turns, which regulars say is unlikely but not impossible in January. Seas are calmest early morning before the afternoon sea breeze picks up, so regulars recommend booking the first tour of the day — if that one's cancelled, there's still a window to try again later.
Add your own note from Kaikōura's card on the map.
Kaikōura climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 21°C / 69°F | 😎 nice |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 12°C / 54°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 21°C / 70°F | |
| Sea temperature | 16°C / 60°F | 🥶 cold sea |
| Rainfall | 108 mm / 4.2 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 14 days | |
| Humidity | 76% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 11°C / 52°F | |
| Sunshine | 11.3 h/day | |
| Daylight | 15.2 h | |
| Wind | 15 km/h / 9 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 21 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Kaikōura in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsNew Zealand summer holidays, Summer holidays in New Zealand, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Kaikōura's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherKaikōura's weather peaks January–March.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Kaikōura in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Nature
Sperm whales, all year
1 Jan – 31 DecWhale seasonThe canyon comes within a kilometre of the shore, so resident sperm whales are here in every month rather than in a season. What moves is the swell: a big southerly cancels the boats. Source ↗
- Holiday
New Zealand summer holidays
20 Dec – 1 Feb · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook earlyEveryone driving between Christchurch and Picton stops here, and in January that is a lot of people for one main street. The whale flights and boats book out days ahead. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Kaikōura — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Kaikōura?
Kaikōura in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Kaikōura?
- December in Kaikōura: nice, rainy, with clean air — a great time to visit. It ranks #5 of 12 months for Kaikōura on SeasonMap's comfort score (77/100).
- What is the weather like in Kaikōura in December?
- In December, Kaikōura averages a daily high of 20.6°C and a low of 12°C, with about 107.9 mm of rain over roughly 13.5 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Kaikōura in December?
- Kaikōura has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 21 in December.
Other months in Kaikōura
Compare Kaikōura in December
Warmer or cooler than Kaikōura in December
Similar destinations in Oceania — December
Within 300 km: Christchurch's New Zealand summer holidays around 19 Dec – 1 Feb, and Wellington's New Zealand summer holidays around 20 Dec – 1 Feb.