Bay of Islands (NZ)
Intermediate
Best conditions around February 9
Subtropical North Island — calm bays, summer breeze.
Best time to sail
Best time to sail in New Zealand
The best time to sail in New Zealand is November to May, with peak conditions in January and February.
That verdict comes from 1991–2020 climate normals — wind, rain, sunshine, and air temperature — scored week by week for charter conditions across 1 sailing area.
Sailing conditions in New Zealand, month by month
Mean weekly values across our sailing areas in New Zealand. The sail score weighs wind, rain, sun, and temperature — and discounts tropical-storm season where one applies.
Temperature (°C)
- Air
- Water
Wind (kn)
Rain (mm/day)
Sun (h/day)
| Month | Sail score | Wind (kn) | Rain (mm/day) | Sun (h/day) | Temp (°C) | Water (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 8 | 2.6 | 12 | 20 | 21 |
| February | Excellent | 8 | 2.3 | 12 | 20 | 22 |
| March | Excellent | 8 | 2.2 | 12 | 19 | 21 |
| April | Excellent | 8 | 2.8 | 12 | 17 | 20 |
| May | Excellent | 9 | 3.1 | 12 | 15 | 18 |
| June | Fair | 9 | 3.8 | 12 | 13 | 17 |
| July | Fair | 9 | 3.9 | 12 | 13 | 16 |
| August | Fair | 9 | 3.7 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| September | Fair | 9 | 2.6 | 12 | 13 | 16 |
| October | Fair | 9 | 2.3 | 12 | 15 | 16 |
| November | Excellent | 8 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 18 |
| December | Excellent | 8 | 2.5 | 12 | 18 | 19 |
Sailing areas in New Zealand
Every area below is scored individually in the interactive calendar; where we have an in-depth guide, it's linked.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to sail in New Zealand?
November to May offers the most reliable conditions, with January and February scoring best for wind, rain, sunshine, and temperature in the 1991–2020 climate normals.
When is the cheapest time to charter in New Zealand?
The shoulder months — November and May — usually combine good sailing conditions with fewer crowds and lower charter prices than the peak in January and February.
How warm is it in New Zealand in January?
Around 20 °C air temperature on average in January, with about 12 hours of sun a day.
How warm is the water in New Zealand in January?
Around 21 °C sea-surface temperature on average in January, based on 2023–2025 marine averages.