Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay
Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay is the East Coast's shape-shifting canvas—a long stretch of beach and reef breaks where the constantly moving sandbars ensure no two sessions are ever quite the same. The year-round southeast groundswell exposure keeps waves arriving when other regions go flat, while the uncrowded nature means you can walk down the beach until you find your own peak. The Art Deco architecture of nearby Napier and the renowned Hawkes Bay wine region add cultural dimensions to surf trips here, creating a complete destination experience beyond the waves themselves.
Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (140°)
- Direction range
- 100° - 180°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.2m - 1.6m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 240° - 300°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: 20km from Hastings. Multiple breaks along beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay?
Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay is a beach break in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay?
Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay picks up swell from the E round to the S, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SE. It starts working at around 0.5m and handles up to about 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.2 to 1.6m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay?
A W wind is dead offshore at Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay, and anything from the WSW round to the WNW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay?
Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay?
Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay works year-round. Year-round. Groundswells from SE.
How cold is the water at Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay?
The water at Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay averages around 17°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Shifting sandbars. Not crowded - spread along beach.
How do I get to Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is NPE, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. 20km from Hastings. Multiple breaks along beach.
Best Season
Peak: Jan-Dec
Year-round. Groundswells from SE.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Blacks Reef
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • S swell, Mahia Peninsula
Point Annihilation
🥝 Right-hand point • S swell magnet • Mahia Peninsula
Opoutama
🏖️ Mahia mellow • Uncrowded learning • Family-friendly waves
Mahia Spit
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • NE swell, Mahia Peninsula
The Island (Tuamotu Island)
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • SE swell, Gisborne
Wainui Beach
🇳🇿 NZ's Hossegor • Hollow east coast • Multi-section variety
Plan a trip around Ocean Beach Hawkes Bay
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