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.
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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
Access: Just outside Gisborne city. Multiple sections: Stockroute, Whales, Schools, Pines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Wainui Beach?
Wainui Beach is a beach break in Gisborne, New Zealand, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Wainui Beach?
Wainui Beach picks up swell from the E round to the S, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSE. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s 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 Wainui Beach?
A WNW wind is dead offshore at Wainui Beach, and anything from the W round to the NNW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Wainui Beach?
Wainui Beach is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Wainui Beach?
Wainui Beach works year-round. Year-round. Huge swell window from S to NE.
How cold is the water at Wainui Beach?
The water at Wainui Beach 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 Wainui Beach 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. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Dangerous beach with powerful sweeps. Can be very rippy.
How do I get to Wainui Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is GIS, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Just outside Gisborne city. Multiple sections: Stockroute, Whales, Schools, Pines.
What other surf spots are near Wainui Beach?
The closest breaks we track are The Island (Tuamotu Island) (3.1 km), Makorori Point (4.0 km) and Makorori Centres (5.1 km), handy when Wainui Beach isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Jan-Dec
Year-round. Huge swell window from S to NE.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
The Island (Tuamotu Island)
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • SE swell, Gisborne
Makorori Point
🥝 Right-hand point • ENE swell magnet • Gisborne
Makorori Centres
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • E swell, Gisborne
Mahia Spit
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • NE swell, Mahia Peninsula
Opoutama
🏖️ Mahia mellow • Uncrowded learning • Family-friendly waves
Point Annihilation
🥝 Right-hand point • S swell magnet • Mahia Peninsula
Plan a trip around Wainui Beach
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