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Level 7/10

Shipwreck Bay

Ahipara, New Zealand
🌀Strong rips🚶Difficult access🏝️Remote

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.

Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction
SW (220°)
Direction range
200° - 260°
Size range
0.5m - 2.5m
Ideal period
14s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction
S (180°)
Offshore range
140° - 220°
Best window
morning

Tide Requirements

Optimal tide
low
Optimal range
0.2m - 1.2m

Water temp

18°C

Wetsuit

3/2mm fullsuit

Difficulty

7/10

Crowd level

3/10

Access: 4WD required or long beach walk from Ahipara. 20km from Kaitaia Airport.

Getting There

Airport
KAT
Drive time
30 min

Best Season

Peak: May-Oct

Secondary: Mar, Apr, Nov

Winter best (Oct peak). Receives distant groundswells.

Data Quality

verified

Verified by Surfline NZ