Best Time to Ride · Nelson – Tāhunanui vs Wainui Bay – Golden Bay
Nelson – Tāhunanui vs Wainui Bay – Golden Bay: which is better for kitesurfing & wingfoiling?
Nelson – Tāhunanui or Wainui Bay – Golden Bay? Month by month: windy days, waves and water temperature side by side, from years of weather data.
Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Nelson – Tāhunanui has warmer water in 6 of 12 months.
- Best months at Nelson – Tāhunanui: January–April, September–December.
- Best months at Wainui Bay – Golden Bay: September–December.
- 58 km apart.
BestSep–Apr
Tāhunanui
Nelson · New Zealand
Beginner-friendly · 18°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ NSN 2 km
Windy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND212220181614121213151820
Best time to go →
BestSep–Dec
Golden Bay
Wainui Bay · New Zealand
Intermediate and up · 15°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ NSN 59 km
Windy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND55553545910810
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND192019181614131213141618
Best time to go →Windy days: days with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots between 9:00 and 18:00, averaged over recent years. Water: average sea surface temperature.