Are you looking for a New Zealand beach break that’s better in winter than summer? Here are some of New Zealand’s best beaches to visit during the colder months. Kaikōura beach, Canterbury, South Island Where the mountains and sea meet, the coastal town of Kaikōura houses one of New Zealand’s most exciting winter beaches. For those passionate about whale watching, this place will be a haven for you.
The town’s whale watching programme is world famous and gives visitors an animal encounter like no other. For those who love birds, especially those that grow up to be the size of a small car, you’ll find up to 15 species of albatross here. With a wing span that can reach up to 3.
4m, these behemoths have made the waters in Kaikōura their feeding ground. Other seabirds that can be found include shearwaters, petrels, and the New Zealand little blue penguin. And if all that isn’t enough for you, take up snorkelling with seals and get in the water to swim with dolphins.
In winter, dolphin encounter tours are limited to once daily at 10am. You’ll be thankful for the thick wetsuit, and in colder temps, you’ll be provided with gloves and booties, too. The beach itself is pebbly rather than sandy, lending itself to brooding winter walks, rather than summer sunbathing.
Sunrise and sunset are particularly dazzling and the latter usually occurs around 5pm in July - the ideal time to soak up the last rays of the day before a cosy pub dinner..