AI-generatedGisborne at a glance
- Best time
- Jan – Feb
- Warmest month
- Jan · 25°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 19.9°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,290 h
- Rain a year
- 1,006 mm
- Climate
- Temperate
- Time zone
- UTC+13 / UTC+12
- Elevation
- 10 m
Climate in Gisborne
Gisborne has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 25 °C, while July is the coolest at 15 °C. With around 2,290 hours of sunshine a year, Gisborne is sunny; January is the sunniest month with 8.4 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Gisborne
The best time to visit Gisborne is from January to February. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in February it only reaches 19.9 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from September to May. Rain is frequent from June to August; the wettest month is July with 115 mm.
Gisborne through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Gisborne in spring
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 17–21 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days in all
Gisborne in summer
Dec – Feb
Good
- 23–25 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 7.8 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Gisborne in autumn
Mar – May
Poor
- 18–23 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Gisborne in winter
Jun – Aug
Poor
- 15–16 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 4.7 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Sep – May
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jun – Aug
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Gisborne for you.
Your best months: January – February
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: January – February
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 12°
- Midday, 13:00: about 19°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 19°
- Evening, 20:00: about 15°
- Night, 23:00: about 12°
06:2319:24
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:06–06:58 · evening 18:49–19:41
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:55–06:06 · evening 19:41–19:52
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Gisborne compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs rise from about 18° at the start of the month to 20° at the end. The sea warms from 14° to 15°. The days get 1.2 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 18° | 20° |
| Night-time low | 8° | 10° |
| Sea | 14° | 15° |
| Daylight | 12.4 h | 13.6 h |
What is the weather like in Gisborne in October?
In October, Gisborne is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 13 h 2 min06:23 – 19:24
- UV index
- 8 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 27 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 51 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+13offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %5 %
- Seaweight 25 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %73 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %59 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Gisborne
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
January has the better holiday weather in Gisborne: score 73 against 28. In January, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 4 °C warmer in January. January has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines an hour longer a day in January.
| Month | October | January |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 28 | 73better |
| Daytime high | 19° | 25° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 14° |
| Sea | 14.7° | 19.1° |
| Sunshine | 7.4 h | 8.4 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 10 | 9better |
| Rainfall | 66 mmbetter | 78 mm |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Gisborne month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
73January25° · Sea 19° · 8.4 h
In January, Gisborne is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 19.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 78 mm in total. All in all, January is a good month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in January70February25° · Sea 20° · 7.3 h
In February, Gisborne is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 19.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 68 mm. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in February52March23° · Sea 20° · 6.2 h
In March, Gisborne is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 19.5 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 91 mm in total. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in March31April20° · Sea 18° · 5.5 h
In April, Gisborne is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 18.4 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 84 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in April17May18° · Sea 17° · 4.9 h
In May, Gisborne is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 16.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 79 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in May13June16° · Sea 15° · 4.4 h
In June, Gisborne is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 15.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 110 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in June11July15° · Sea 14° · 4.2 h
In July, Gisborne is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 14.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 115 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in July17August16° · Sea 14° · 5.6 h
In August, Gisborne is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 13.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 86 mm in total. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in August22September17° · Sea 14° · 6.3 h
In September, Gisborne is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 13.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 85 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in September28October19° · Sea 15° · 7.4 h
In October, Gisborne is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in October39November21° · Sea 16° · 7.6 h
In November, Gisborne is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 16.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in November54December23° · Sea 18° · 7.6 h
In December, Gisborne is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 17.7 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 78 mm in total. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Gisborne.
Gisborne in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Gisborne
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
CoolOctober: nights around 9°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in July (6°), the warmest in February (15°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in February. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from June to August, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 73 | 25° | 14° | 19.1° | 8.4 h | 9 | 78 |
| FebruaryFeb | 70 | 25° | 15° | 19.9° | 7.3 h | 9 | 68 |
| MarchMar | 52 | 23° | 13° | 19.5° | 6.2 h | 10 | 91 |
| AprilApr | 31 | 20° | 10° | 18.4° | 5.5 h | 10 | 84 |
| MayMay | 17 | 18° | 8° | 16.9° | 4.9 h | 11 | 79 |
| JuneJun | 13 | 16° | 6° | 15.4° | 4.4 h | 12 | 110 |
| JulyJul | 11 | 15° | 6° | 14.2° | 4.2 h | 13 | 115 |
| AugustAug | 17 | 16° | 6° | 13.6° | 5.6 h | 12 | 86 |
| SeptemberSep | 22 | 17° | 8° | 13.8° | 6.3 h | 10 | 85 |
| OctoberOct | 28 | 19° | 9° | 14.7° | 7.4 h | 10 | 66 |
| NovemberNov | 39 | 21° | 11° | 16.0° | 7.6 h | 10 | 66 |
| DecemberDec | 54 | 23° | 13° | 17.7° | 7.6 h | 10 | 78 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
38.65° S, 178.00° E · 10 m · Pacific/Auckland
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Gisborne
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 14.0 – 15.3 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Gisborne ranges from 13.6 °C in August to 19.9 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in January. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 19.3 and 20.5 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 19.1° | 18.4° | 19.9° | fresh |
| FebruaryFeb | 19.9° | 19.3° | 20.5° | fresh |
| MarchMar | 19.5° | 18.7° | 20.0° | fresh |
| AprilApr | 18.4° | 18.0° | 18.8° | fresh |
| MayMay | 16.9° | 16.2° | 17.4° | cold |
| JuneJun | 15.4° | 14.6° | 16.1° | cold |
| JulyJul | 14.2° | 13.7° | 14.8° | cold |
| AugustAug | 13.6° | 12.9° | 14.2° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 13.8° | 13.1° | 14.3° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 14.7° | 14.0° | 15.3° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 16.0° | 15.3° | 16.8° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 17.7° | 16.6° | 18.7° | fresh |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Gisborne
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 7.4 of 13.0 hours of daylight in Gisborne, 57 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 2 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain
Rain in Gisborne: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Gisborne has about 10 rainy days with 66 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Gisborne
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 8 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 20 min
- Light brown skin
- about 30 min
- Olive skin
- about 40 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind & clouds
Wind and clouds in Gisborne
How breezy and how cloudy Gisborne is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Gisborne typically peaks at 27 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting, and here it is that strong all year.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 51 % of the sky over Gisborne: variable cloud, with about 7.4 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat & humidity
Heat and humidity in Gisborne
How often the day gets hot in Gisborne (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Gisborne has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 19 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Planning a trip to Gisborne
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Gisborne in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Gisborne has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 64) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 15).
- 37
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 21 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 5.7 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 16
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 15
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Poor
- 15 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 5.1 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 28
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 19 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 7.4 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 64
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
GoodBest holidays
- 24 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 8.0 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 22 h 55 min
- Distance
- 18,580 km
- Time zone
- UTC+13
- Jet lag
- About 12 days (12 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: New Zealand
- Currency
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Languages
- English, Māori
- Sockets
- Type I · 230 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the left
- Dialling code
- +64
- Emergency number
- 111
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Gisborne compared
Put Gisborne side by side with another destination.
Gisborne vs Whakatāne
In October Gisborne has the better holiday weather (score 28 vs 22). During the day it is about as warm in Whakatāne as in Gisborne. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Gisborne | Whakatāne |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 28 | 22 |
| Daytime high | 19° | 19° |
| Sea | 15° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 7 h | 7 h |
| Rainy days | 10 | 11 |
| Best time | Jan – Feb | Jan – Mar |
Through the year
Best places in the country
New Zealand in October: the best places
In October, Gisborne ranks 15 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hastings19°82
- 2Tauranga18°16°74
- 3Blenheim18°74
- 4Auckland18°16°71
- 5Matamata18°69
- 6Cambridge18°69
- 7Masterton17°69
- 8Rotorua18°68
- 15GisborneThis page19°15°28
Places nearby
Near Gisborne
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Gisborne
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Gisborne's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Gisborne
When is the best time to visit Gisborne?
The best time to visit Gisborne is from January to February. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Gisborne?
The sea temperature in Gisborne ranges from 13.6 °C in August to 19.9 °C in February. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Gisborne in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 14.7 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Gisborne?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 25 °C and nights around 14 °C. July is the coolest month at 15 °C.
When does it rain most in Gisborne?
Rain is frequent from June to August; the wettest month is July with 115 mm. The driest month is November with 66 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Gisborne get?
Gisborne gets around 2,290 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 8.4 hours a day; in July there are 4.2 hours a day.
What time zone is Gisborne in?
Gisborne is on UTC+13 in January and UTC+12 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Gisborne?
A nonstop flight from London to Gisborne takes about 22 h 55 min, for a straight-line distance of about 18,580 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Gisborne?
Gisborne has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 64) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 15). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 37, May half-term 16, summer holidays 15, October half-term 28, Christmas holidays 64.