South Island Map
Interactive map of South Island with coordinates, nearby places, airports and travel highlights.
Summary
South Island is an island in New Zealand. South Island is an island known for Southern Alps, fiords and glaciers.
Right now it is 59°F (15°C) in South Island with light drizzle. It feels like 55°F. Today runs from 51°F to 59°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 7.1/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit South Island is February. The climate is subarctic. June, July and October tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 66°F, while July is the coldest with lows near 29°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 114 mi away. Nearby highlights include Aoraki / Mount Cook, Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand and Milford Sound.
In plain terms. Today is slightly warmer than average for October. The forecast high of 59°F is 6.8°F above the 52°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 10 AM to 1 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in South Island today at 9.3/10. Gusts to 50 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.
Map of South Island
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 43°57′12.6″S 170°30′0″E (-43.9535, 170.5)
Quick facts about South Island
| Type | Island |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 43°57′12.6″S 170°30′0″E (-43.9535, 170.5) |
| Known for | Southern Alps, fiords and glaciers |
| Local time | 10:02 PM (UTC+13:00) |
| Best months | February |
| Climate | Subarctic |
Neighboring islands in New Zealand
Sorted by distance from South Island.
Getting to South Island
- Queenstown Airport (ZQN) · 114 mi
- Wanaka · 85 mi · roughly 2 h driving
- Christchurch · 111 mi · roughly 2.5 h driving
- Queenstown · 117 mi · roughly 2.7 h driving
- Dunedin · 133 mi · roughly 3.1 h driving
- Kaikoura · 193 mi · roughly 4.4 h driving
- Nelson City · 233 mi · roughly 5.4 h driving
Distances are straight-line; driving times assume a 70 km/h average and no traffic.
Airports near South Island
Closest airports with IATA codes and distances.
| Airport | Code | Distance | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queenstown Airport | ZQN | 114 mi | Queenstown |
Things to do in South Island
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around South Island.
Explore South Island
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Map for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is South Island?
South Island is an island in New Zealand. Its coordinates are -43.9535, 170.5. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in South Island right now?
It is currently 59°F (15°C) with light drizzle. Humidity is 66% and wind is 7 mph.
When is the best time to visit South Island?
February offer the most comfortable conditions in South Island, which has a subarctic climate. June, July and October are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is South Island in?
South Island observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+13:00). The local time is 10:02 PM.
What is the nearest airport to South Island?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 114 mi away.
What are the top things to do in South Island?
Popular options include Aoraki / Mount Cook, Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (islands) - 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 26, 2026 at 10:02 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
