Mangamaunu
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.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to CHC, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Pacific is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Pacific — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Mangamaunu trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (150°)
- Direction range
- 120° - 190°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 240° - 320°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: 3hrs north of Christchurch. Right next to Kaikoura Ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Mangamaunu?
Mangamaunu works best on a mid tide, ideally between 0.4m and 1.4m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Mangamaunu?
Offshore wind at Mangamaunu blows from the W (270°). Anything in the 240° to 320° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Mangamaunu?
Mangamaunu wants SSE swell (120° to 190°) between 0.6m and 2.5m, with a period of 12s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Mangamaunu?
The main season at Mangamaunu is Apr-Sep. A secondary window runs Oct, Nov, Mar. Winter most consistent. Summer mostly flat.
How do I get to Mangamaunu?
Fly into CHC, then allow about 180 minutes by road. 3hrs north of Christchurch. Right next to Kaikoura Ranges.
What kind of wave is Mangamaunu?
Mangamaunu is a point break, a right-hander. Difficulty is rated 5/10.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Oct, Nov, Mar
Winter most consistent. Summer mostly flat.