Raglan
Raglan is New Zealand's most celebrated surf destination, a series of volcanic point breaks that peel along black sand beaches on the North Island's rugged west coast. The main breaks—Manu Bay, Whale Bay, and Indicators—offer long, peeling rides when SW groundswells wrap down the coast. Manu Bay is famous for mechanical lefts that can run for 300+ meters. The town itself is a quintessential surf village with strong creative and alternative culture. Cold water and wild weather are part of the deal, but so are epic scenery and genuine Kiwi hospitality.
Raglan surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (235°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 280°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 80° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
6/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Raglan?
Raglan is a point break in Waikato, New Zealand, that mostly breaks left. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Raglan?
Manu Bay featured in the 1966 film The Endless Summer. Manu Bay's traditional name is Waikeri, meaning surging or swirling waters. Raglan is home to New Zealand's first sanctioned surf school, set up in 1999.
What swell works best at Raglan?
Raglan picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 15s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Raglan?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Raglan, and anything from the E round to the SSE keeps it clean. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Raglan?
Raglan has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Raglan?
The most reliable run of swell at Raglan comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Oct to Mar too. Primary: SW groundswell. Secondary: NW swells.
How cold is the water at Raglan?
The water at Raglan averages around 16°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Raglan good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Rocks at Manu Bay. Gets crowded when good.
How do I get to Raglan?
The nearest airport on our list is AKL, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Raglan?
The closest breaks we track are Whale Bay (0.6 km), Manu Bay (0.9 km) and Indicators (1.3 km), handy when Raglan isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Primary: SW groundswell. Secondary: NW swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Whale Bay
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Raglan
Manu Bay
🥝 Raglan's inside section • Endless lefts • Kiwi icon
Indicators
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Raglan
Raglan - Manu Bay
🇳🇿 One of Earth's longest lefts • Endless Summer legend • Kiwi soul
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 Raglan
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.