Chatham Islands

The short version

Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands sit about 800 km east of Christchurch, roughly two hours by air, and they are still New Zealand: no passport, NZ dollars, NZ power sockets. About 600 people live there, and only around 1,300 visitors arrive in a year. Locally the group is “the Chathams”.

It suits curious, self-sufficient travellers: walkers, birders, anglers and anyone drawn to Moriori and settler history. The main island has easy nature walks, a seal colony and nīkau palm forest, and Pitt Island is a short flight away. It does not suit anyone after a beach holiday or a spontaneous trip.

The catch is access. Air Chathams is the only airline and there are no passenger ferries, Hotel Chatham’s 55 rooms make up about 95% of accommodation, according to 1News, most roads are unsealed and most land is private. Our verdict: a rewarding trip if you book early and let your host arrange the details.

Who Chatham Islands suits

Each score is out of 5, against the other islands we cover.

Best for

1. Nature: 5 out of 5.Endemic birds and plants, nīkau forest, peat wetlands and a seal colony; the islands hold many species found nowhere else.
2. Culture: 4 out of 5.Moriori history, tree carvings, the museum in Waitangi and Kōpinga Marae give real depth, with access guided by locals.
3. Rest: 4 out of 5.About 600 residents and roughly 1,300 visitors a year, with no crowds and no camping or resort scene.

The catch

Access, and private landAir Chathams is the only airline and there are no passenger ferries, one hotel holds most of the beds, and most land is private.

Show the other nine ratings

• Couples: 3 out of 5.Quiet, remote and uncrowded, with a handful of lodges and cottages, though evenings are low-key.
• Adventure: 3 out of 5.Fishing charters, longer walks such as the 8 km Lake Walk and a boat or plane hop to Pitt Island, with conditions often windy.
• Families: 2 out of 5.Walks are easy and infants fly free without a seat, but beds are scarce and most attractions need arranging through your host.
• Honeymoons: 2 out of 5.Newer luxury suites and an off-grid lodge exist, but choice is tiny and there is little in the way of resort polish.
• Food and wine: 2 out of 5.Local seafood is the draw, served at Hotel Chatham and a few lodges, but there are few places to eat and little choice beyond them.
• Luxury: 2 out of 5.Some high-end suites and an off-grid lodge exist, but there is very little of it and it books out.
• Beaches: 1 out of 5.Sandy beaches exist at places like Kaingaroa, but weather is changeable and most beaches sit on private land.
• Snorkelling and diving: 1 out of 5.This is not a snorkelling destination; the draw is fishing and crayfish, and sea conditions are variable.
• Value for money: 1 out of 5.Fares run from about NZ$500 to over NZ$1,000 return and electricity is very expensive, so this is not a bargain.

When to go

The tourism board puts the best period at October to March or April, and that matches what the islands offer: the clearest, warmest days come in summer. The rest of the year is not bad, but it tends to be windier or wetter. The board says to be ready for four seasons in a day, with showers more likely than long wet spells, and occasional mild frosts in winter.

Some things have their own timing. Nīkau palms flower from December to January, and the Chatham Islands swamp aster blooms from November to March. The crayfish season is closed from 1 March to 30 April, which matters if a crayfish dinner is on your list. A Festival of Science ran on 11–16 August 2026, but no 2027 date is listed yet, so check the tourism board.

Summer is also when seats and beds are scarcest, and Air Chathams keeps its direct Auckland flights for peak summer. New Zealand schools break up no later than 19 December 2026, so book flights and accommodation as early as you can.

Best from December to FebruaryHighest score 78 (good) in January; lowest 14 (poor) in June.

• Best months
• This month (your time)
• NZ school holidays

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecConditionsscore out of 100GoodFairPoorFairGoodAir °Caverage high and lowSea °Coffshore; lagoons run warmerRainmm a monthSchool holidaysNZ, next 12 months

Show the numbers

Chatham Islands, month by month. Best months: December to February.

Month	Score	Rating	Air high °C	Air low °C	Sea °C	Rain mm
January (best months)	78	Good	18	12	15	62
February (best months)	75	Good	18	12	15	62
March	57	Fair	17	12	15	85
April	41	Poor	15	10	15	83
May	23	Poor	13	8	14	97
June	14	Poor	11	7	12	110
July	20	Poor	11	6	12	78
August	23	Poor	11	6	11	82
September	32	Poor	12	7	11	71
October	46	Poor	13	8	11	64
November	57	Fair	14	9	12	65
December (best months)	71	Good	17	11	14	63

NZ school holidays shown, 16 October 2026 to 15 October 2027: 19 December 2026 to 27 January 2027; 10–26 April 2027; 3–18 July 2027; 25 September to 10 October 2027.

Where to stay

Beds are the real constraint, so pick by logistics before mood. Waitangi is the practical base, the north suits self-caterers, and Pitt Island suits people who want to be alone with the birds. Hotel Chatham has 55 rooms, and the tourism board’s list includes motels, self-contained houses and a few lodges, with no prices given.

Things to do

The Chathams are best for short, easy nature walks, history and time on the water. Most outings are short, and many places sit on private land, so build the days with your host and treat the tourism board’s attractions list as a menu.

Getting there

Air Chathams is the only way in. From 5 October 2026 it flies between the Chathams and Wellington on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and between the Chathams and Christchurch on Tuesday and Thursday, on Saab aircraft. The airline says frequency may rise slightly in peak periods and fall in quieter winter months. The tourism board’s own getting-here page still lists the older schedule, including Auckland on Thursdays and Saturdays, so trust the airline.

Auckland is the change. The regular weekly Auckland service has ended, although direct Auckland flights continue in peak summer periods. Kiwis starting in Auckland should plan on a connection via Wellington or Christchurch. Air Chathams said an expanded interline agreement with Air New Zealand was expected to go live in August, letting you book those connections together. We could not confirm it is running, so check before you buy separate tickets.

Baggage rules matter on a small aircraft. The cheapest Thrifty fare is carry-on only (7 kg), and an extra 23 kg bag on Chatham routes costs NZ$70 online or NZ$90 at the desk. Excess weight is NZ$3.50 a kilogram, and it can wait for a later flight if the aircraft is full. Check in at least 45 minutes before departure. Babies under 24 months fly free if they do not take a seat, with a car seat or pram carried as a free item, subject to space. Children under 5 cannot fly alone. The Chathams are 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand time.

Getting around

You will want a vehicle. The islands are about 97,000 acres, attractions are spread out and most public roads are unsealed. Hotel Chatham and some accommodation providers rent vehicles, and the tourism board advises inexperienced drivers on unsealed roads to join a guided tour. Ask the rental company about licence and insurance conditions before you book.

For Pitt Island, Air Chathams flies between the islands and runs five-seat sightseeing flights by booking, and the tourism board says to ask your host about day trips. There are no campgrounds, so book accommodation first.

Money

The Chathams use the New Zealand dollar. EFTPOS works at stores, Hotel Chatham, lodges, the garage and cafes, and the airport takes it too. Waitangi has an ANZ bank and Post Shop, and there is an ATM at Hotel Chatham. Carry some cash as a back-up, especially for small operators and entry fees to private land, which are usually arranged through your host.

The sourced figures are modest: the tourism board’s FAQ, which carries a 2022 date, puts return flights at roughly NZ$500–1,156 depending on how early you book. Treat that as a guide only. Electricity is described as very expensive, so do not expect bargains. We found no sourced figures for accommodation, tours or meals.

Know before you go

New Zealand passport holders do not need a passport at all, because the islands are part of New Zealand. Biosecurity does apply. The Chathams are free of many mainland pests, including varroa, so clean and dry your boots, bags and gear before you fly. Honey cannot be brought in.

Most of the land, including beaches, is privately owned. Do not go onto private land without the owner’s permission, and expect an entry fee at some attractions. Native birds, fossils and Moriori sites are protected by law. The tree carvings at Hāpūpū are currently hard to reach because the forest’s health is declining, so ask your host or DOC. Take only what you need from the sea and leave pāua beds for locals.

The health centre at 6 Hospital Road, Waitangi, has a resident doctor and a small pharmacy. Clinic hours are 9am to noon on weekdays, with on-call cover at other times. Serious cases are usually airlifted to the mainland, so bring your medication with extra in case flights are delayed, and check that your travel insurance covers it. Dial 111 in an emergency.

Power is the standard NZ 240 volts. Water is often short, especially in summer, so keep showers brief. Mobile coverage is good across much of the main island and Pitt Island, and wifi varies by accommodation, so ask when you book. On Sundays, St Therese Catholic Church in Waitangi holds weekly Mass when a priest is present.