When to Go to Upper South Island and the West Coast

Nelson and Marlborough are pleasant year-round, but beach activities are best from December to mid-March if you plan to be in the water. But December to February is busy with New Zealanders on their own vacations so book ahead. Snow covers the mountains from June through October. The best time to go whale-watching off Kaikoura is between October and August. The pleasures of winter weather around the West Coast glaciers—clear skies and no snow at sea level—are a well-kept local secret. Look into local festival schedules; they occur year-round.