Kitesurfing in New Zealand in December
In December the best kitesurfing in New Zealand is at Nelson – Rabbit Island, Plimmerton & Opunake.
Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Wind: 9 windy days (15+ knots)
- Water: 18–21°C, 4/3 wetsuit at 18°C; 3/2 wetsuit at 19–21°C
- Air: 21°C by day, 14°C at night
- Weather: sun (6+ hours) on about 26 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 15; a day can have both
- For beginners: Nelson – Rabbit Island, New Plymouth – Fitzroy Beach & Orewa.
When are you planning to go?
1
DecPEAK SEASON
Rabbit Island
Nelson · New Zealand
15 windy days20° water21° air
Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ NSN 8 km
2
DecGOOD
Plimmerton
New Zealand
14 windy days18° water19° air
Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ WLG 27 km
3
DecGOOD
Opunake
New Zealand
13 windy days18° water19° air
Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 57 km
4
DecPEAK SEASON
Westshore
Napier · New Zealand
10 windy days20° water23° air
Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ NPE 3 km
5
DecPEAK SEASON
Fitzroy Beach
New Plymouth · New Zealand
10 windy days18° water20° air
Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 8 km
6
DecPEAK SEASON
Muriwai
New Zealand
8 windy days20° water21° air
Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ AKL 38 km
7
DecPEAK SEASON
Foxton Beach
New Zealand
7 windy days18° water20° air
Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ PMR 38 km
8
DecPEAK SEASON
Orewa
New Zealand
7 windy days21° water22° air
Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ AKL 48 km
9
DecPEAK SEASON
Waikanae Beach
New Zealand
7 windy days19° water19° air
Intermediate and up · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ WLG 54 km
10
DecPEAK SEASON
Papamoa
New Zealand
5 windy days19° water22° air
Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ TRG 9 km
11
DecPEAK SEASON
Waitematā Harbour
Auckland · New Zealand
5 windy days21° water22° air
Beginner-friendly · 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ AKL 19 km
12
DecPEAK SEASON
New Brighton
Christchurch · New Zealand
5 windy days20° air
Intermediate and up · ✈ CHC 16 km
Averages of the 12 spots on this page. Windy days: days with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots between 9:00 and 18:00, averaged over recent years.
Questions
Where to go kitesurfing in New Zealand in December?
Nelson – Rabbit Island: 15 windy days; Plimmerton: 14 windy days; Opunake: 13 windy days.
How warm is the water in New Zealand in December?
18–21°C: 4/3 wetsuit at 18°C; 3/2 wetsuit at 19–21°C.
Where can beginners go kitesurfing in December?
Good spots for beginners this month: Nelson – Rabbit Island, New Plymouth – Fitzroy Beach & Orewa.
Which airport is closest?
Nelson Airport (NSN), 8 km from Nelson – Rabbit Island; Wellington International Airport (WLG), 27 km from Plimmerton; New Plymouth Airport (NPL), 57 km from Opunake.
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