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 | 6:57 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | February, March 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 56°F (13°C) in Kaikoura with overcast. It feels like 51°F. Today runs from 49°F to 68°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 6.8/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Kaikoura is February, March 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 40°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 warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 68°F is 13.7°F above the 54°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 12 PM to 3 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Kaikoura today at 9.3/10. Gusts to 36 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
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° | 6,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 58° | 46° | 4,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 55° | 44° | 5,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 54° | 42° | 6,7 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 54° | 40° | 2,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 59° | 44° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 62° | 47° | 4,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 65° | 51° | 3,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 69° | 55° | 6,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Explore Kaikoura
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Geography for related places
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 56°F (13°C) with overcast. Humidity is 63% and wind is 7 mph.
When is the best time to visit Kaikoura?
February, March 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+12:00). The local time is 6:57 AM.
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 August 26, 2026 at 6:57 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
