Whatipu
Hollow, powerful right over sand and rock at the north side of the Manukau Harbour entrance, with a steep, fast drop and barrels. It works best on a WSW swell with NE winds around high tide. Watch for: strong harbour-entrance currents, sharks reported.
Whatipu surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Direction range
- 190° - 285°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 4.4m
- Ideal size
- 2.6m - 3.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (40°)
- Offshore range
- 350° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- high
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
3/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Whatipu?
Whatipu is a point break in Huia, New Zealand, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Whatipu?
Whatipu picks up swell from the S round to the WNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WSW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 4.4m, with the sweet spot around 2.6 to 3.6m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 11s 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 Whatipu?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Whatipu, and anything from the N round to the E 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 Whatipu?
Whatipu is at its best around high tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Whatipu?
The most reliable run of swell at Whatipu comes Mar to Nov.
How cold is the water at Whatipu?
The water at Whatipu averages around 17°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 Whatipu good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Strong harbour-entrance currents, sharks reported.
How do I get to Whatipu?
The nearest airport on our list is AKL, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Whatipu?
The closest breaks we track are Piha (12 km), Muriwai Beach (25 km) and Takapuna Reef (North Reef) (38 km), handy when Whatipu isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Nov
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Piha
🦁 Lion Rock landmark • Black sand drama • Auckland's wild escape
Muriwai Beach
🪿 Gannet colony views • Auckland consistency • West coast access
Takapuna Reef (North Reef)
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • NE swell, Auckland east
O'Neills Reef
🥝 Left-hand reef • NE swell magnet • Auckland east
Milford Reef
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • NE swell, Auckland east
Port Waikato (The Reef)
🥝 Left-hand point • SW swell magnet • Port Waikato and the Auckland west coast