Whale Bay
The middle of Raglan's three lefts, over boulders. It has the most bite on smaller swells, when it breaks close to the rocks; in bigger swell it either lines up with Indicators across the mouth of the bay or fades and reforms on the headland, and a more W-NW swell makes it barrel. A little softer and less crowded than its neighbours. It is listed as a surf break of national significance in Schedule 1 of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. It works best on a SW swell with SSE winds. Watch for: boulders that surface at low tide, rock entry, current running down the line.
Whale Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (235°)
- Direction range
- 195° - 315°
- Size range
- 1m - 4.3m
- Ideal size
- 2.5m - 3.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (150°)
- Offshore range
- 100° - 200°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Whale Bay?
The Whale Bay profile does not specify a preferred tide stage. That does not mean tide has no effect: check local conditions alongside swell and wind.
What wind direction is offshore at Whale Bay?
The Whale Bay profile uses wind from SSE (150°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 100° to 200°. 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 Whale Bay?
The Whale Bay scoring profile favors swell from SW (195° to 315°), a swell-height range of 1m to 4.3m, and a reference period of 14s. 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 Whale Bay?
The main season at Whale Bay is Mar-Nov.
How do I get to Whale Bay?
The spot profile lists HLZ as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 52 minutes.
What kind of wave is Whale Bay?
Whale Bay is a point break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 5/10.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Nov
Getting There
Nearby Spots
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