Best Time to Ride · Kaikōura – Mangamaunu vs Christchurch – Sumner
Kaikōura – Mangamaunu vs Christchurch – Sumner: which is better for surfing?
Kaikōura – Mangamaunu or Christchurch – Sumner? Month by month: windy days, waves and water temperature side by side, from years of weather data.
Find the best time to goTap a spot to see when to go: wind, waves, water temperature, sun and rain in every month, from years of weather statistics.
Updated October 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Kaikōura – Mangamaunu has bigger waves in 12 of 12 months.
- Christchurch – Sumner has warmer water in 7 of 12 months.
- Best months at Kaikōura – Mangamaunu: June–July.
- Best months at Christchurch – Sumner: March, June–July.
- 163 km apart.
Kaikōura – MangamaunuCanterbury (Kaikōura), New ZealandWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.81.82.122.22.32.42.2221.71.8
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND171716151312111011121416
Best time to go →
Christchurch – SumnerCanterbury (Christchurch), New ZealandWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.31.31.51.41.41.61.61.41.31.41.31.3
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND19191816131110911131618
Best time to go →Wave height: average daily maximum. Water: average sea surface temperature.