Franz Josef Glacier
A glacier that comes down almost to sea level through rainforest, a helicopter ride that lands you directly on the ice in under ten minutes, and hot pools a short walk from the terminal face for after.
The best time to visit Franz Josef Glacier is Nov–Mar, when typical daytime highs reach about 12°C (53°F). Local time there is 20:01 (UTC+13).
Good for
In season
The year at a glance
January · high 19°C · rain 147mm · 15.0h of daylight · in the recommended window
shaded columns are the recommended window
Measured at Hokitika, the arrival airport
Averages for 2019–2023 from Open-Meteo’s archive, not a forecast
| Month | High °CHigh °F | Rain mmRain in | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C67°F | 147mm5.8in | 15.0h15.0h | in the recommended window |
| February | 20°C67°F | 216mm8.5in | 13.8h13.8h | in the recommended window |
| March | 19°C66°F | 244mm9.6in | 12.5h12.5h | in the recommended window |
| April | 16°C61°F | 215mm8.5in | 11.0h11.0h | |
| May | 14°C58°F | 334mm13.1in | 9.7h9.7h | |
| June | 12°C54°F | 215mm8.5in | 9.1h9.1h | |
| July | 12°C53°F | 261mm10.3in | 9.3h9.3h | |
| August | 12°C53°F | 228mm9.0in | 10.4h10.4h | |
| September | 13°C55°F | 241mm9.5in | 11.9h11.9h | |
| October | 14°C58°F | 279mm11.0in | 13.4h13.4h | |
| November | 16°C61°F | 286mm11.3in | 14.7h14.7h | in the recommended window |
| December | 18°C64°F | 289mm11.4in | 15.3h15.3h | in the recommended window |
Good to know
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When is the best time to visit Franz Josef Glacier?
The best time to visit Franz Josef Glacier is Nov–Mar, when typical daytime highs reach about 12°C (53°F).
How warm does Franz Josef Glacier get?
Typical daytime highs in Franz Josef Glacier are Mar–May 17°C (62°F), Jun–Aug 12°C (53°F), Sep–Nov 15°C (58°F), Dec–Feb 19°C (66°F).
Is Franz Josef Glacier expensive?
On the ground, Franz Josef Glacier is steep.
What sort of trip is Franz Josef Glacier good for?
Franz Josef Glacier is good for adventure holidays, nature and scenery, bucket-list trips, ski and snow holidays.
How rainy is Franz Josef Glacier?
The wettest month in Franz Josef Glacier is May at 334mm (13.1in), the driest January at 147mm (5.8in), with a monthly average of 246mm (9.7in).
What plug do I need for Franz Josef Glacier?
Franz Josef Glacier uses type I sockets at 230 V.
