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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Location & Conditions
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Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (160°)
- Direction range
- 90° - 200°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m
- 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.
Best Season
Peak: Jan-Dec
Year-round. Huge swell window from S to NE.
Getting There
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