Shipwreck Bay
Shipwreck Bay is New Zealand's remote reward—a long left point break at the end of Ninety Mile Beach in the far north that can produce rides lasting three minutes or more. The journey here requires commitment: a 4WD or lengthy beach walk through one of the world's most pristine stretches of sand. But that isolation preserves something increasingly rare: genuine solitude in world-class waves. The main left and the Peaks section further out both light up when distant groundswells arrive from the Tasman, offering the kind of soul-surfing experience that defined the sport before crowds and cameras.
Shipwreck 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
- 200° - 260°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.4m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 140° - 220°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 1.2m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: 4WD required or long beach walk from Ahipara. Nearest bookable gateway is Kerikeri / Bay of Islands (KKE, Air NZ from Auckland, ~1.5hr drive). The closer Kaitaia strip (KAT, ~20km) is Barrier Air only and rarely sells through international itineraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Shipwreck Bay?
Shipwreck Bay is a point break in Ahipara, New Zealand, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Shipwreck Bay?
Shipwreck Bay 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 0.5m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.4 to 2m. 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 Shipwreck Bay?
A S wind is dead offshore at Shipwreck Bay, and anything from the SE round to the SW 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 Shipwreck Bay?
Shipwreck Bay is at its best around low tide, roughly 0.2m to 1.2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Shipwreck Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Shipwreck Bay comes May to Oct. There's a second window in Mar to Apr and Nov too. Winter best (Oct peak). Receives distant groundswells.
How cold is the water at Shipwreck Bay?
The water at Shipwreck Bay averages around 18°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 Shipwreck Bay good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Strong rips. 4WD or long walk required. Remote location.
How do I get to Shipwreck Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is KKE, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. 4WD required or long beach walk from Ahipara. Nearest bookable gateway is Kerikeri / Bay of Islands (KKE, Air NZ from Auckland, ~1.5hr drive). The closer Kaitaia strip (KAT, ~20km) is Barrier Air only and rarely sells through international itineraries.
What other surf spots are near Shipwreck Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Supertubes (4.5 km), Mukie 2 (5.2 km) and Mukie 1 (5.7 km), handy when Shipwreck Bay isn't working. We track 5 spots around Ahipara in total. Fun fact: it's the second most northerly break we track in New Zealand.
Best Season
Peak: May-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Apr, Nov
Winter best (Oct peak). Receives distant groundswells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Supertubes
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Ahipara and Tauroa Point
Mukie 2
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Ahipara and Tauroa Point
Mukie 1
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Ahipara and Tauroa Point
Peaks
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Ahipara and Tauroa Point
Mangawhai Heads
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • ENE swell, Northland east coast
Plan a trip around Shipwreck Bay
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