Christchurch – New Brighton
Christchurch, Canterbury (Christchurch), New Zealand
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Surfing, Parawing, SUP
Best time to go: January–March, September–December
New Brighton is part of an 18-kilometre stretch of sandy beach running along Pegasus Bay on Christchurch's east side, with a pier and library at its centre. In spring and summer the north-easterly sea breeze blows on most afternoons, cross-onshore, giving reliable conditions for kitesurfing and winging; south-westerly fronts bring stronger, offshore winds that are better for surfing. Swells from the east give beach-break waves around the pier.
The beach is long enough for kitesurfers to find space away from swimmers, and the area north of the pier towards Waimairi is popular. The surf club patrols in summer, and the shopping area at the pier has cafés. Rips form along the sandbars, especially near the pier.
Month by month at Christchurch – New Brighton
- January: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.7 m, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 27 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- February: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.6 m, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 24 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- March: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.8 m, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- April: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1 m, air 17°C (nights 10°C), 23 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- May: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.2 m, air 15°C (nights 7°C), 22 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- June: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.5 m, air 12°C (nights 6°C), 17 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- July: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.7 m, air 11°C (nights 4°C), 20 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- August: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.6 m, air 12°C (nights 5°C), 23 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- September: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.5 m, air 15°C (nights 6°C), 26 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- October: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.1 m, air 16°C (nights 8°C), 26 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- November: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.9 m, air 18°C (nights 11°C), 27 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- December: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.7 m, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 26 sunny days, 11 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling & parawing at Christchurch – New Brighton?
January–March, September–December, when it is windy most often.
When is the best time to go surfing at Christchurch – New Brighton?
July–August, when the waves are biggest.
How windy is Christchurch – New Brighton?
About 66 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in November.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Christchurch – New Brighton
- Christchurch – Sumner (7 km)
- Kaikōura – Mangamaunu (158 km)
- Nelson – Rabbit Island (252 km)
- Wellington – Lyall Bay (295 km)
More: All spots in New Zealand · Kitesurfing in New Zealand · Wingfoiling in New Zealand · Surfing in New Zealand · Parawing in New Zealand · SUP in New Zealand
Compare with: Lake Wānaka – Roys Bay vs Christchurch – New Brighton · Kaikōura – Mangamaunu vs Christchurch – New Brighton · Christchurch – New Brighton vs Christchurch – Sumner · Christchurch – New Brighton vs Dunedin – St Clair