Best Time to Ride · Kitesurfing · New Zealand
Kitesurfing in New Zealand
15 kitesurfing spots in New Zealand. The colours show each month: the stronger, the better for kitesurfing.
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
- Best time for kitesurfing in New Zealand: January, October, December. Then about 10 windy days a month and water around 18°C (4/3 wetsuit).
- Top picks: Opunake, Rangiputa & Plimmerton.
- For beginners: Rangiputa, Nelson – Rabbit Island & Ahipara.
Regions
OpunakeTaranaki, New Zealand · best September–OctoberIntermediate and up · 14°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ NPL 57 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND11910101013121419201313
Best time to go →
RangiputaNorthland, New Zealand · best OctoberBeginner-friendly · 17°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ KAT 21 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND11691311913111216911
Best time to go →
PlimmertonWellington (Porirua), New Zealand · best September–OctoberIntermediate and up · 14°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ WLG 27 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND911121099101517181314
Best time to go →
Nelson – Rabbit IslandTasman (Nelson), New Zealand · best October, DecemberBeginner-friendly · 17°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ NSN 8 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND10955434411141315
Best time to go →
MuriwaiAuckland (West Coast), New Zealand · best SeptemberIntermediate and up · 15°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ AKL 38 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND11671010111310141388
Best time to go →
AhiparaNorthland, New Zealand · best March–SeptemberBeginner-friendly · 17°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ KAT 16 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND95610109139121279
Best time to go →
New Plymouth – Fitzroy BeachTaranaki, New Zealand · best September–OctoberBeginner-friendly · 15°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ NPL 8 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND9898109121216151110
Best time to go →
OrewaAuckland (Hibiscus Coast), New Zealand · best January–April, October–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 20°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ AKL 48 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND96697797111077
Best time to go →
Napier – WestshoreHawke's Bay, New Zealand · best OctoberIntermediate and up · 15°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ NPE 3 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND758655791114810
Best time to go →
Auckland – Waitematā HarbourAuckland, New Zealand · best January–April, October–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 20°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ AKL 19 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND755877948965
Best time to go →
Foxton BeachManawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand · best OctoberIntermediate and up · 15°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ PMR 38 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND55655888121477
Best time to go →
Waikanae BeachWellington (Kāpiti Coast), New Zealand · best January–April, September–DecemberIntermediate and up · 17°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ WLG 54 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND556557710111377
Best time to go →
PapamoaBay of Plenty, New Zealand · best January–April, October–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 19°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ TRG 9 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND533655537955
Best time to go →
Kulim ParkBay of Plenty, New ZealandBeginner-friendly · ✈ TRG 4 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND4336546371046
Best time to go →
Christchurch – New BrightonCanterbury (Christchurch), New Zealand · best January–March, September–DecemberIntermediate and up · ✈ CHC 16 kmWindy days per month (15+ knots)
JFMAMJJASOND766433465885
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.
Month by month in New Zealand
| Month | Windy days | Water | Wetsuit | Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 8 | 20°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 22°C |
| FebruaryFeb | 6 | 21°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 22°C |
| MarchMar | 7 | 20°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 21°C |
| AprilApr | 8 | 19°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 19°C |
| MayMay | 7 | 17°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 17°C |
| JuneJun | 7 | 15°C | 5/4 wetsuit and boots | 15°C |
| JulyJul | 9 | 14°C | 5/4 wetsuit and boots | 14°C |
| AugustAug | 8 | 13°C | 5/4 wetsuit and boots | 14°C |
| SeptemberSep | 12 | 14°C | 5/4 wetsuit and boots | 15°C |
| OctoberOct | 13 | 15°C | 5/4 wetsuit and boots | 17°C |
| NovemberNov | 8 | 17°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 19°C |
| DecemberDec | 9 | 19°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 21°C |
Averages of the 15 spots on this page. Best months highlighted. Air: average daytime high.
Questions
When is the best time for kitesurfing in New Zealand?
Best time for kitesurfing in New Zealand: January, October, December. Then about 10 windy days a month and water around 18°C (4/3 wetsuit).
What wetsuit do I need in New Zealand?
It depends on the month: about 21°C water in February (3/2 wetsuit) and about 13°C in August (5/4 wetsuit and boots).
Is New Zealand good for beginners?
Yes, these spots suit beginners: Rangiputa, Nelson – Rabbit Island, Ahipara & New Plymouth – Fitzroy Beach.
Which airport is closest?
New Plymouth Airport (NPL), 57 km from Opunake; Kaitaia Airport (KAT), 21 km from Rangiputa; Wellington International Airport (WLG), 27 km from Plimmerton.
Other countries for kitesurfing
Aruba · 1Australia · 7Austria · 1Bonaire · 1Brazil · 4Cabo Verde · 1Canada · 1Chile · 1Colombia · 1Costa Rica · 1Denmark · 2Dominican Republic · 1Egypt · 4Fiji · 1France · 2Germany · 3Greece · 6Indonesia · 1Italy · 5Mauritius · 2Mexico · 1Morocco · 2Netherlands · 2New Zealand · 15Panama · 1Peru · 1Philippines · 1Portugal · 3South Africa · 3Spain · 4Sri Lanka · 1Sweden · 1Switzerland · 1Tanzania · 1Thailand · 1Turkey · 1United Arab Emirates · 1United Kingdom · 3United States · 9Venezuela · 1Vietnam · 1Western Sahara · 1