What is the weather like in Wellington in May?

Expect temperatures between 11°C and 14°C with 25% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Wellington in May?

Wellington in May scores 61/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Good option with minor considerations.

Who should visit Wellington in May?

May in Wellington is ideal for: Cultural tourists, Business travelers, Adventure seekers.

Wellington Weather in May | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

14°C

Hottest around day 1

Avg Low

11°C

Coolest around day 30

Rainy Days

15days

25% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Spring season

Sea Temperature in May

Coastal Waters(Ocean)

15.5°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

💧Refreshing

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

🏄Cool, wetsuits recommended

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Coastal Waters

Ocean

Wellington coastline

Essential Travel Info for Wellington

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

NZD

$ New Zealand dollar

Language

English

+2 more

Driving

Left side

Safety

Very High Safety

GPI: 1.269

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Wellington

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

41/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Aug

Low

Nov

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

114

Aug

100

Sep

Oct

Nov

100

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Christchurch (CHC)

Auckland (AKL)

Nelson (NSN)

Blenheim Woodbourne (BHE)

Hamilton (HLZ)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

6 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to New Zealand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to New Zealand.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in New Zealand.If rabies exposures occur while in New Zealand, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Yellow Fever

CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Vaccine isnotrequired.Updated April 23, 2025

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is May a Good Time to Visit Wellington?

👌Good option with minor considerations(61/100)

Short Answer

Don't expect beach weather in Wellington's May: 15.5°C cold seas despite 15°C air temps. Coastal scenery remains beautiful, just pack warm layers.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Seismically active region

35 earthquakes recorded in this month (30-year data)

Rough sea conditions

1.95m average wave height - Surfers Only

Peak tourist season

85% of annual peak - expect crowds and high prices

Cold sea - swimming challenging

15.5°C sea temperature - Polar Plunge

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Tuberculosis (TB)

Good For

🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🎯
Adventure seekers
1.95m waves - good for surfing and water sports

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 15.5°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere
👴
Elderly travelers
79% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Wellington in May averages 14°C with 25% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Wellington in May

What are the temperatures in Wellington in May?

Daytime highs average 14°C, nights drop to 11°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Wellington in May?

Expect around 15 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Wellington in May?

Layers are key. A medium-weight jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Is May peak season in Wellington?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Wellington Weather in May

Sea Temperature in May

Wellington May Weather Calendar

Essential Travel Info for Wellington

Travel Intelligence

Smart Flight Estimator

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Key Connections

Health & Safety Advisory

COVID-19

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Measles

Rabies

Yellow Fever

Is May a Good Time to Visit Wellington?

Decision Factors

Good For

Who Should Avoid

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions: Wellington in May

What are the temperatures in Wellington in May?

How many rainy days in Wellington in May?

What to wear in Wellington in May?

Is May peak season in Wellington?