Raglan - Manu Bay
Raglan - Manu Bay is surfing's ultimate left-hand point—a wave so long that rides can connect for over two kilometers from Indicators through Whale Bay and into Manu Bay on the right swell. Featured alongside N'Gor in The Endless Summer, Raglan showed the world that New Zealand harbored world-class waves in a breathtaking setting. The volcanic rock bottom creates walls that roll with metronomic perfection, offering section after section of workable face. The drive from Auckland through lush Waikato farmland ends at one of the planet's most celebrated surf destinations, where the Kiwi surf community preserves a welcoming, grassroots culture despite international fame.
Raglan - Manu Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (220°)
- Direction range
- 190° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: 2hr drive from Auckland. 8km from Raglan town center down Wainui Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Raglan - Manu Bay?
Raglan - Manu Bay is a point break in Raglan, New Zealand, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Raglan - Manu Bay?
Raglan - Manu Bay picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, 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 14s 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 - Manu Bay?
An E wind is dead offshore at Raglan - Manu Bay, and anything from the ENE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. 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 - Manu Bay?
Raglan - Manu Bay is at its best around low tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Raglan - Manu Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Raglan - Manu Bay comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Feb too. Year-round surf. Winter (Jun-Aug) most consistent at 82%.
How cold is the water at Raglan - Manu Bay?
The water at Raglan - Manu 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 Raglan - Manu Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Rocky entry. Can get very crowded. Strong rips.
How do I get to Raglan - Manu Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is AKL, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. 2hr drive from Auckland. 8km from Raglan town center down Wainui Road.
What other surf spots are near Raglan - Manu Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Manu Bay (1.1 km), Raglan (1.2 km) and Whale Bay (2.3 km), handy when Raglan - Manu Bay isn't working. We track 4 spots around Raglan in total.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round surf. Winter (Jun-Aug) most consistent at 82%.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Manu Bay
🥝 Raglan's inside section • Endless lefts • Kiwi icon
Raglan
🥝 New Zealand's finest • Black sand point breaks • 300m rides
Whale Bay
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Raglan
Indicators
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Raglan
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 - Manu Bay
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.