Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
Raglan is New Zealand's most celebrated surf destination, a series of volcanic point breaks that peel along black sand beaches on the North Island's rugged west coast. The main breaks—Manu Bay, Whale Bay, and Indicators—offer some of the longest rides in the Southern Hemisphere when SW groundswells wrap into the harbour. Manu Bay is famous for mechanical lefts that can run for 300+ meters. The town itself is a quintessential surf village with strong creative and alternative culture. Cold water and wild weather are part of the deal, but so are empty lineups, epic scenery, and genuine Kiwi hospitality.
🥝 New Zealand's finest • Black sand point breaks • 300m rides
Works best with swells from 235° (SW). Workable range: 210°-280°.
Ideal size: 1.9m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 15s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 120° (ESE). Offshore range: 80°-160°. Best window: both.
Primary: SW groundswell. Secondary: NW swells.
Rocks at Manu Bay. Gets crowded when good.
Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
Piha is New Zealand's most iconic surf beach—a dramatic sweep of black iron sand framed by the distinctive Lion Rock formation on Auckland's wild west coast. The beach produces quality peaks up and down its length, with the northern end often offering the most consistent waves. Piha is raw and beautiful: native bush tumbling down steep hillsides, powerful rips (it's NZ's most rescued beach), and consistent swells from the Tasman Sea. The 45-minute drive from Auckland makes it an accessible escape that feels worlds away from the city.
🦁 Lion Rock landmark • Black sand drama • Auckland's wild escape
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 180°-270°.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 100° (E). Offshore range: 60°-140°. Best window: morning.
Autumn best. Year-round swell. Iconic Lion Rock.
Very strong rips - most rescued beach in NZ. Black iron-sand.
Raglan - Manu Bay is surfing's ultimate left-hand point—a wave so long that rides can connect for over two kilometers from Indicators through Whale Bay and into Manu Bay on the right swell. Featured alongside N'Gor in The Endless Summer, Raglan showed the world that New Zealand harbored world-class waves in a breathtaking setting. The volcanic rock bottom creates walls that roll with metronomic perfection, offering section after section of workable face. The drive from Auckland through lush Waikato farmland ends at one of the planet's most celebrated surf destinations, where the Kiwi surf community preserves a welcoming, grassroots culture despite international fame.
🇳🇿 One of Earth's longest lefts • Endless Summer legend • Kiwi soul
Works best with swells from 220° (SW). Workable range: 190°-250°.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 60°-130°. Best window: morning.
Year-round surf. Winter (Jun-Aug) most consistent at 82%.
Rocky entry. Can get very crowded. Strong rips.
2hr drive from Auckland. 8km from Raglan town center down Wainui Road.
Shipwreck Bay is New Zealand's remote reward—a long left point break at the end of Ninety Mile Beach in the far north that can produce rides lasting three minutes or more. The journey here requires commitment: a 4WD or lengthy beach walk through one of the world's most pristine stretches of sand. But that isolation preserves something increasingly rare: genuine solitude in world-class waves. The main left and the Peaks section further out both light up when distant groundswells arrive from the Tasman, offering the kind of soul-surfing experience that defined the sport before crowds and cameras.
🏝️ Three-minute rides • End of the world • Solitude reward
Works best with swells from 220° (SW). Workable range: 200°-260°.
Ideal size: 1.5m. Too small below 0.5m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 180° (S). Offshore range: 140°-220°. Best window: morning.
Winter best (Oct peak). Receives distant groundswells.
🌀 Strong rips, 🚶 Difficult access, 🏝️ Remote
Strong rips. 4WD or long walk required. Remote location.
4WD required or long beach walk from Ahipara. Nearest bookable gateway is Kerikeri / Bay of Islands (KKE, Air NZ from Auckland, ~1.5hr drive). The closer Kaitaia strip (KAT, ~20km) is Barrier Air only and rarely sells through international itineraries.
Stent Road is Taranaki's crown jewel—a world-class right-hand point break that ranks among New Zealand's finest waves. The setup delivers everything: a hollow drop-in, a barrel section, and then a long, workable wall that lets surfers really unload. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Taranaki's perfect volcanic cone, this wave has an atmosphere matched by few places on Earth. The boulder bottom demands respect and the local crew has earned theirs, but surfers who demonstrate patience and lineup etiquette will find one of the Pacific's most complete point break experiences. The drive through rolling farmland and wild coastline is part of the journey.
🗻 Taranaki's finest • Volcanic backdrop • Complete point package
Works best with swells from 230° (SW). Workable range: 200°-270°.
Year-round but autumn/winter best for W/SW swells.
Boulder bottom. Gets crowded. Respect locals and lineup etiquette.
6hrs south of Auckland, 4hrs north of Wellington. ~90min from New Plymouth.
Mount Maunganui is the Bay of Plenty's consistent cornerstone—an east-facing beach break that enjoys a natural advantage over New Zealand's west coast spots: prevailing offshore winds. While the Tasman-facing breaks battle afternoon onshores, "The Mount" often stays clean all day, making it one of the country's most user-friendly waves. The iconic volcanic cone rises behind the beach, the vibrant holiday town offers every amenity, and multiple peaks along the main beach ensure there's space for everyone. Hart Street traditionally holds the best banks, while the Blow-Hole point section provides an alternative in southwest winds.
⛰️ All-day offshores • Bay of Plenty gem • Easy-access quality
Works best with swells from 45° (NE). Workable range: 20°-60°.
Ideal size: 1.3m. Too small below 0.5m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
Needs at least 8s period. Ideal: 12s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 240° (WSW). Offshore range: 200°-280°. Best window: both.
Summer NE swells best. Prevailing offshore winds unlike west coast.
Popular beach - watch for swimmers. Rips in channels.
15min from Tauranga Airport. Multiple peaks along main beach.
Whangamata Bar is New Zealand's most celebrated beach break left—a river mouth wave on the Coromandel Peninsula that transforms into a world-class barrel machine when cyclone swells wrap into its perfectly angled shoreline. The wave offers a steep drop-in, a heavy barrel section, and enough length to make every successful ride feel earned. The river mouth channel provides a paddle-out path but also generates powerful currents that add to the intensity. Summer holidays see the lineup packed, but catch it at the right moment and Whangamata delivers waves that match anything on Earth.
🌊 Cyclone swell magic • Premier beach break left • Coromandel gem
Works best with swells from 45° (NE). Workable range: 20°-80°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 230° (SW). Offshore range: 190°-270°. Best window: morning.
Best in summer with NE swells. Works on cyclone swells.
Strong river mouth currents. Very crowded in summer holidays.
1hr from Tauranga. On Highway 25 on Coromandel Peninsula.
Wainui Beach is Gisborne's answer to Hossegor—a powerful, hollow beach break that produces some of New Zealand's best barrels when conditions align. The beach faces east, capturing everything from tropical cyclone swells to southern groundswells across an enormous window. Multiple sections—Stockroute, Whales, Schools, Pines—offer variety depending on conditions, and the quality can surprise visitors expecting the west coast to hold all of Kiwi surfing's best cards. Dangerous sweeps and powerful rips demand respect, but surfers who've paid their dues here speak of sessions that rival anywhere in the world.
🇳🇿 NZ's Hossegor • Hollow east coast • Multi-section variety
Works best with swells from 160° (SSE). Workable range: 95°-190°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 300° (WNW). Offshore range: 260°-340°. Best window: morning.
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Year-round. Huge swell window from S to NE.
Dangerous beach with powerful sweeps. Can be very rippy.
Just outside Gisborne city. Multiple sections: Stockroute, Whales, Schools, Pines.
St Clair is cold water surfing at its most rewarding—Dunedin's main beach break exposed to the roaring forties, where consistent southern swells meet dedicated locals in 5mm wetsuits and booties. The wave offers both beach break peaks and a right-hand rock point section, providing variety for all conditions. What St Clair lacks in tropical warmth it compensates with wild beauty: the dramatic Otago coastline, the Southern Alps as a distant backdrop, and a surf community forged in conditions that would send fair-weather surfers running. This is New Zealand's deep south, where the waves are cold but the stoke runs hot.
❄️ Southern Ocean cold • Roaring forties power • Deep south dedication
Works best with swells from 180° (S). Workable range: 150°-220°.
Offshore wind from 0° (N). Offshore range: 320°-40°. Best window: morning.
Consistent S swells. Medium-high consistency year-round.
Rocky point on right side. Cold water - 5mm wetsuit needed.
23km from Dunedin Airport. Right in Dunedin city.
Mangamaunu is Kaikoura's most consistent reward—a fun right-hander that benefits from a deepwater trench funneling swell directly into its boulder bottom setup. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Kaikoura Ranges plunging into the sea, the scenery here rivals anywhere on Earth. The wave produces punchy A-frames that handle sizes up to two meters plus, while the marine-rich waters occasionally provide whale and dolphin sightings from the lineup. The cold water demands commitment, but surfers who make the three-hour drive from Christchurch are rewarded with world-class scenery and surprisingly consistent waves.
🐋 Kaikoura ranges backdrop • Deepwater trench magic • Wildlife encounters
Works best with swells from 150° (SSE). Workable range: 120°-190°.
Offshore wind from 270° (W). Offshore range: 240°-320°. Best window: morning.
Winter most consistent. Summer mostly flat.
Boulder bottom. Cold water. Can be fat on high tide.
3hrs north of Christchurch. Right next to Kaikoura Ranges.
Taylors Mistake is Christchurch's premier surf beach—a sheltered bay on the Banks Peninsula that produces quality left and right peaks when the banks align and offshore winds groom the faces. The name supposedly comes from a ship captain's navigational error, but there's no mistake about the waves: when conditions coincide, Taylors delivers powerful, barreling peaks that rival anything in the South Island. The 25-minute drive from the city passes through earthquake-rebuilt suburbs and over the Port Hills, arriving at a beach that transforms Cantabrians into committed surfers despite water cold enough to make teeth chatter.
⛵ Christchurch's best • Banks Peninsula gem • South Island barrels
Works best with swells from 70° (ENE). Workable range: 40°-110°.
Offshore wind from 270° (W). Offshore range: 240°-300°. Best window: morning.
Winter best (July peak). Clean waves 8% of time in July.
Can get busy when on. Rips and rocks. Cold water.
Best surf in Christchurch. 25min from CBD.
Back Beach is New Plymouth's punchy daily driver—a powerful beach break with shifting sandbars that produces surprising force for its size. The volcanic black sand creates steep, fast waves that reward quick reflexes and punish hesitation. When northeast winds blow offshore and chest-to-head-high swells fill in, Back Beach transforms into a quality surf destination right in the city. Nearby reef breaks on either side offer alternatives when the banks aren't cooperating, while Mount Taranaki looms over everything, providing one of surfing's most distinctive backdrops.
🌋 Taranaki power • Black sand punch • City center surf
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 45°-135°. Best window: morning.
Autumn/winter best. August peak consistency.
Strong rips. Popular beach - watch for swimmers.
Fitzroy Beach is New Plymouth's barrel factory—a popular beach break near the city's East End that produces excellent hollow waves when offshore winds align with the right banks. The wave favors high tide on the rise, when the sandbars connect to create left and right peaks with surprising tube potential. Less powerful than nearby Back Beach, Fitzroy offers a more forgiving learning curve while still capable of serious moments. The beach's popularity means you'll share waves, but the consistent quality and easy access make it a cornerstone of Taranaki surf culture.
🛢️ Barrel potential • High tide magic • Taranaki staple
Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 255°-300°.
Ideal size: 1.1m. Too small below 0.3m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 100°-170°. Best window: morning.
Winter best. June peak with 25% clean days.
Likely crowded when working. Rips present.
Muriwai Beach is Auckland's most accessible consistent wave—an exposed west coast beach break that receives equal doses of wind swell and groundswell year-round. The surf schools have discovered its reliable nature, but the beach is long enough to find space away from the crowds. A famous gannet colony perches on the cliffs at the south end, adding wildlife drama to every session. East to northeast winds blow offshore, creating conditions that range from beginner-friendly on mid tide to punchy walls for intermediates on high. The drive through Kumeu wine country makes even flat days worthwhile.
🪿 Gannet colony views • Auckland consistency • West coast access
Year-round consistency. Equal wind and groundswells.
Strong rips. Popular surf school spot. Gannet colony nearby.
45min from Auckland CBD. Exposed beach with consistent waves.
Opoutama is Mahia Peninsula's mellow gem—a beginner-friendly beach break that produces soft, fat waves perfect for learners and longboarders seeking an uncrowded alternative to New Zealand's more famous spots. The east coast location keeps it off most radar, which means even when it's working, you might have the lineup to yourself. Multiple peaks spread along the beach offer options, while the generally mellow conditions create a low-stress environment for progression. This is the kind of place where families can share waves without anxiety and the competitive pressure of busier breaks simply doesn't exist.
🏖️ Mahia mellow • Uncrowded learning • Family-friendly waves
Ideal size: 1.1m. Too small below 0.4m, too big (closeout) above 1.8m.
Offshore wind from 45° (NE). Offshore range: 20°-80°. Best window: morning.
Year-round with groundswells. Uncrowded even when working.
Some rips but generally mellow conditions.
46km from Gisborne Airport. Mahia is an east coast hidden gem.
Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay is the East Coast's shape-shifting canvas—a long stretch of beach and reef breaks where the constantly moving sandbars ensure no two sessions are ever quite the same. The year-round southeast groundswell exposure keeps waves arriving when other regions go flat, while the uncrowded nature means you can walk down the beach until you find your own peak. The Art Deco architecture of nearby Napier and the renowned Hawkes Bay wine region add cultural dimensions to surf trips here, creating a complete destination experience beyond the waves themselves.
🍷 Wine country waves • Ever-changing banks • Hawkes Bay solitude
Works best with swells from 140° (SE). Workable range: 100°-180°.
Shifting sandbars. Not crowded - spread along beach.
20km from Hastings. Multiple breaks along beach.
Manu Bay is the inside section of New Zealand's famous Raglan point system—a long, peeling left that extends the ride from Indicators down to the harbor. The wave is slightly more forgiving than the outside sections while still delivering the machine-like walls that made Raglan a surfing icon. On connecting swells, surfers can ride from Indicators through Whale Bay and into Manu Bay for some of the longest lefts in the world. The Raglan town vibe, easy access, and consistent waves make Manu Bay a Kiwi surfing rite of passage.
🥝 Raglan's inside section • Endless lefts • Kiwi icon
Works best with swells from 240° (WSW). Workable range: 210°-280°.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 50°-130°. Best window: morning.