Surfing Raglan - Manu Bay: The Complete Guide

Raglan - Manu Bay is a point break located in Raglan, New Zealand, offering a left-hander along New Zealand's coastline. 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. Rated as advanced difficulty with crowded conditions, this point break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SW (220°), with workable conditions from S to WSW (190°–250°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Raglan - Manu Bay needs a minimum of 0.8m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans ENE to SE (60°–130°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at low tide. Optimal tide range is 0.4m–1.4m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Raglan - Manu Bay runs March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October (Mar–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens November, December, January, February (Nov–Feb). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Year-round surf. Winter (Jun-Aug) most consistent at 82%.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 17°C / 63°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is AKL, approximately 2 hours by road.

Access: 2hr drive from Auckland. 8km from Raglan town center down Wainui Road.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded
🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Rocky entry. Can get very crowded. Strong rips.

Safety Tips:

Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy
Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically crowded (7/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Raglan - Manu Bay? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Raglan - Manu Bay is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*