Wainui Beach
Wainui Beach is Gisborne's answer to Hossegor—a powerful, hollow beach break that produces some of New Zealand's best barrels when conditions align. The beach faces east, capturing everything from tropical cyclone swells to southern groundswells across an enormous window. Multiple sections—Stockroute, Whales, Schools, Pines—offer variety depending on conditions, and the quality can surprise visitors expecting the west coast to hold all of Kiwi surfing's best cards. Dangerous sweeps and powerful rips demand respect, but surfers who've paid their dues here speak of sessions that rival anywhere in the world.
Wainui Beach surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to GIS, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Pacific is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Pacific — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Wainui Beach trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (160°)
- Direction range
- 95° - 190°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Offshore range
- 260° - 340°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
5/10
👥 Spring Break (Sep 26 – Oct 12) — expect extra crowds
Access: Just outside Gisborne city. Multiple sections: Stockroute, Whales, Schools, Pines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Wainui Beach?
The Wainui Beach profile favors mid tide, ideally between 0.4m and 1.6m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session.
What wind direction is offshore at Wainui Beach?
The Wainui Beach profile uses wind from WNW (300°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 260° to 340°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at Wainui Beach?
The Wainui Beach scoring profile favors swell from SSE (95° to 190°), a swell-height range of 0.6m to 2.5m, and a reference period of 12s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf Wainui Beach?
The main season at Wainui Beach is Jan-Dec. Year-round. Huge swell window from S to NE.
How do I get to Wainui Beach?
The spot profile lists GIS as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 15 minutes. Just outside Gisborne city. Multiple sections: Stockroute, Whales, Schools, Pines.
What kind of wave is Wainui Beach?
Wainui Beach is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 6/10.
Best Season
Peak: Jan-Dec
Year-round. Huge swell window from S to NE.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Plan a trip around Wainui Beach
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.