Geography of Kaikoura
Geography of Kaikoura: location, coordinates, elevation, terrain and the places around it.
Geography of Kaikoura
Marlborough is 63 mi to the north, Nelson City is 81 mi to the north, Nelson is 81 mi to the north and Tasman is 88 mi to the north-west.
Map of Kaikoura
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 42°23′60″S 173°40′48″E (-42.4, 173.68)
Quick facts about Kaikoura
| Type | City |
|---|---|
| Region | Canterbury |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 42°23′60″S 173°40′48″E (-42.4, 173.68) |
| Population | 2.200 |
| Known for | whale watching where mountains meet sea |
| Local time | 12:39 PM (UTC+13:00) |
| Best months | February, March, September and November |
| Climate | Temperate |
Summary
Kaikoura is a city in Canterbury. Kaikoura is known for whale watching where mountains meet sea. It has a population of about 2.200.
Right now it is 61°F (16°C) in Kaikoura with clear sky. It feels like 64°F. Today runs from 47°F to 63°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 7.9/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit Kaikoura is February, March, September and November. The climate is temperate. April, June and July tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 69°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 42°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 306 mi away. Nearby highlights include South Island, Aoraki / Mount Cook and Tongariro National Park.
In plain terms. Today is about average for October. The forecast high of 63°F is in line with the 62°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 1 PM to 4 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. running is the strongest bet in Kaikoura today at 10/10. Visibility is down to 0,9 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Climate in Kaikoura month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67° | 56° | 7,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 69° | 56° | 4,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 65° | 53° | 5,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 63° | 51° | 6,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 58° | 46° | 4,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 55° | 44° | 5,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 54° | 42° | 6,7 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 55° | 42° | 3,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 58° | 44° | 2,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 62° | 47° | 4,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 65° | 52° | 3,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 69° | 55° | 6,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Kaikoura?
Kaikoura is a city in Canterbury. Its coordinates are -42.4, 173.68. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Kaikoura right now?
It is currently 61°F (16°C) with clear sky. Humidity is 92% and wind is 1 mph.
When is the best time to visit Kaikoura?
February, March, September and November offer the most comfortable conditions in Kaikoura, which has a temperate climate. April, June and July are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Kaikoura in?
Kaikoura observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+13:00). The local time is 12:39 PM.
How many people live in Kaikoura?
Kaikoura has a population of approximately 2.200.
What is the nearest airport to Kaikoura?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 306 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Kaikoura?
Popular options include South Island, Aoraki / Mount Cook and Tongariro National Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (cities-supported) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 2, 2026 at 12:39 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
