Stent Road
Stent Road is Taranaki's crown jewel—a world-class right-hand point break that ranks among New Zealand's finest waves. The setup delivers everything: a hollow drop-in, a barrel section, and then a long, workable wall that lets surfers really unload. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Taranaki's perfect volcanic cone, this wave has an atmosphere matched by few places on Earth. The boulder bottom demands respect and the local crew has earned theirs, but surfers who demonstrate patience and lineup etiquette will find one of the Pacific's most complete point break experiences. The drive through rolling farmland and wild coastline is part of the journey.
Stent Road surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (230°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 270°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: 6hrs south of Auckland, 4hrs north of Wellington. ~90min from New Plymouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Stent Road?
Stent Road is a point break in Taranaki, New Zealand, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Stent Road?
Stent Road 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 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 Stent Road?
An E wind is dead offshore at Stent Road, 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 Stent Road?
Stent Road 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 Stent Road?
The most reliable run of swell at Stent Road comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Feb too. Year-round but autumn/winter best for W/SW swells.
How cold is the water at Stent Road?
The water at Stent Road 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 Stent Road good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Boulder bottom. Gets crowded. Respect locals and lineup etiquette.
How do I get to Stent Road?
The nearest airport on our list is NPL, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. 6hrs south of Auckland, 4hrs north of Wellington. ~90min from New Plymouth.
What other surf spots are near Stent Road?
The closest breaks we track are Back Beach (12 km), Fitzroy Beach (17 km) and Backdoor Stent (19 km), handy when Stent Road isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round but autumn/winter best for W/SW swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Back Beach
🌋 Taranaki power • Black sand punch • City center surf
Fitzroy Beach
🛢️ Barrel potential • High tide magic • Taranaki staple
Backdoor Stent
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • WSW swell, Surf Highway 45
Waiwhakaiho
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • WNW swell, New Plymouth and North Taranaki
Farmhouse Stent
🥝 Left-hand reef • WSW swell magnet • Surf Highway 45
Indicators
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Raglan
Plan a trip around Stent Road
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