Wellington Sunrise & Sunset: March 2026

March Sunrise & Sunset in Wellington: Complete Monthly Guide

In March 2026, Wellington has an average of 12h 23m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 07:02 at the start of the month to 07:35 at the end, while sunset shifts from 20:07 to 19:17.

March in Wellington brings shortening autumn days in the southern hemisphere. Average sunrise in March is 07:19 and average sunset is 19:42. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in March

Day length in Wellington in March changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At Wellington's latitude of -41.3°, the rate of day length change in March is approximately 2 to 3 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Wellington shifts by approximately 40 to 60 minutes over the course of March.

Golden Hour in Wellington in March

Golden hour in Wellington in March occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Marchat Wellington's latitude of -41.3°, golden hour lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in Wellington in March: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in March begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in Wellington in March

Civil twilight in Wellington in March begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in Wellington in March extends the usable light day by approximately 60 to 90 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for March in Wellington

Shooting in Wellington in March requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in March:

• Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
• Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
• Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In March, Wellington's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this March table for Wellington are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Wellington (-41.2866°, 174.7756°) and the local timezone (Pacific/Auckland). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: March Sunrise & Sunset in Wellington

What is the average sunrise time in Wellington in March?

The average sunrise time in Wellington in March 2026 is approximately 07:19. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Wellington at latitude -41.29° and longitude 174.78°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 07:02 on the first of the month to 07:35 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does Wellington get in March?

Wellington receives an average of 12h 23m of daylight per day in March 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 13h 04m on the first of the month to 11h 41m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in Wellington in March?

The earliest sunrise in Wellington in March 2026 occurs on 2026-03-01 at 07:02. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-03-31 at 07:35.

What time is golden hour in Wellington in March?

Golden hour in Wellington in March occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (07:19 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (19:42 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is March a good time to photograph sunrise in Wellington?

March is autumn in Wellington's southern hemisphere location. Sunrise at 07:19 provides a reasonable start time for photography.

When does civil twilight start in Wellington in March?

Civil twilight in Wellington in March begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Wellington's latitude of -41.3°, civil twilight in March starts around 06:54 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.