Surfing New Zealand
New Zealand is one of surfing's great road trip destinations. The country's position in the Roaring Forties means it catches swell from every direction — and with thousands of kilometers of coastline on two islands, the variety of waves is staggering.
Raglan on the North Island is the headliner — a long, peeling left-hand point break that's among the best in the Southern Hemisphere. But the Taranaki coast, Northland's east coast, the Wairarapa, and the South Island's wild West Coast all offer world-class waves in settings that range from pastoral farmland to sub-alpine wilderness.
The water is cold — you'll need a quality wetsuit everywhere — but the tradeoff is uncrowded lineups, dramatic scenery, and a laid-back Kiwi culture that welcomes traveling surfers.
Best Months
March through September (most consistent swells)
Highlights
- ·Raglan — one of the world's longest left-hand point breaks
- ·Incredibly diverse coastline with waves for all levels
- ·Uncrowded lineups — even at well-known breaks
Travel Tips
- ·Fly into Auckland (AKL) for the North Island, Christchurch (CHC) for the South
- ·Rent a campervan — NZ is made for surf road trips
- ·Visa free for most Western passports (up to 90 days)
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All Surf Spots in New Zealand
Raglan(2)
Raglan - Manu Bay
Raglan, New Zealand
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...
Manu Bay
Raglan, New Zealand
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...
New Plymouth(2)
Back Beach
New Plymouth, New Zealand
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,...
Fitzroy Beach
New Plymouth, New Zealand
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....
Waikato(1)
Auckland(1)
Ahipara(1)
Taranaki(1)
Bay of Plenty(1)
Coromandel(1)
Gisborne(1)
Dunedin(1)
Kaikoura(1)
Christchurch(1)
Auckland West(1)
Mahia Peninsula(1)
Hawkes Bay(1)
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