Mount Maunganui
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.
Mount Maunganui surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to TRG, 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 Mount Maunganui 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
- NE (45°)
- Direction range
- 20° - 60°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.2m - 1.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Offshore range
- 200° - 280°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.4m
Water temp
19°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
7/10
👥 Spring Break (Sep 26 – Oct 12) — expect extra crowds
Access: 15min from Tauranga Airport. Multiple peaks along main beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Mount Maunganui?
The Mount Maunganui profile favors mid tide, ideally between 0.3m and 1.4m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session.
What wind direction is offshore at Mount Maunganui?
The Mount Maunganui profile uses wind from WSW (240°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 200° to 280°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at Mount Maunganui?
The Mount Maunganui scoring profile favors swell from NE (20° to 60°), a swell-height range of 0.5m to 2m, and a reference period of 12s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf Mount Maunganui?
The main season at Mount Maunganui is Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. A secondary window runs Apr, May, Oct. Summer NE swells best. Prevailing offshore winds unlike west coast.
How do I get to Mount Maunganui?
The spot profile lists TRG as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 15 minutes. 15min from Tauranga Airport. Multiple peaks along main beach.
What kind of wave is Mount Maunganui?
Mount Maunganui is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 4/10.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Oct
Summer NE swells best. Prevailing offshore winds unlike west coast.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Whangamata Bar
🌊 Cyclone swell magic • Premier beach break left • Coromandel gem
Raglan
🥝 New Zealand's finest • Black sand point breaks • 300m rides
Raglan - Manu Bay
🇳🇿 One of Earth's longest lefts • Endless Summer legend • Kiwi soul
Manu Bay
🥝 Raglan's inside section • Endless lefts • Kiwi icon
Piha
🦁 Lion Rock landmark • Black sand drama • Auckland's wild escape
Muriwai Beach
🪿 Gannet colony views • Auckland consistency • West coast access
Plan a trip around Mount Maunganui
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.