Overview

New Zealand is made up of two main islands, the North Island and South Island. The North Island has the largest population, the capital city - Wellington, and the largest city - Auckland.

The North Island has New Zealand's best known surf spot - Raglan. It is half way down the west coast and is a consistent, classy left hand point that seems to go on forever. If you want lots of quality spots and do not want to do much driving then head to the Taranaki Peninsular. Lots of great waves and you can find the ideal wind conditions just by driving round 180' along the coast road - Surf Highway 45. Gisborne’s surf has attracted surfers since the early 1960’s. The coastline recieves ocean swells coming from the east and south so you can usually catch a wave at one of the local beaches. Dawn surfing is a buzz because Gisborne is the first place in the world to see the sunrise each day. Waikanae is the main town the beach here is great for learning. Wainui Beach about 6 kms from Gisborne is the great spot for surfers of all levels. The best waves are found off the southern reefs, offering superb right and left breaks. The Island 1 km before Wainui has Gisborne’s longest tubes. There are two left hand reef breaks which work in big southerly swells. Right at the top of the North Island is where you’ll find the beautiful Bay of Islands, one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand, is New Zealand’s own ‘supertubes’ with one kilometre long joy rides at Ahipara (Shipwreck bay).

The South Island is usually more popular for tourist activities and there is quality, empty surf, but the air and water temperature is much colder. The main areas for surf on the South Island are based in and around Christchurch and Dunedin on the east coast. Top spots on the South Island are the variety of breaks around Dunedin and the powerful reefs and points of Kaikoura.

Surf Breaks

North Island

• Shipwreck Bay - One of the best left hand point breaks in the world. A naturally occuring reverse superbank. This spot was the star in Bruce Brown's epic 'endless summer'. Shippies works by wrapping a solid SW swell around the headland so whilst it's rarely flat, it can be small but ideally suited to a longboard.
• Piha - Piha is northwest of Auckland and is the birth place of surfing in NZ. Morphing sand bars assist in creating a very reliable left hander. Lion Rock offers left and right options with backwash vectors from the rocks creating interesting scenarios. Some great beach breaks on the right day to the north of Lion Rock right up the beach. Best at around 3-6 ft.
• Whangamata Bar - The Whangamata Bar at the northern end of the beach is the main spot, producing a long peeling, left hand, sand bar beach break with north-easterly swells on an incoming tide. If the bar is crowded or the tidal flow is too hectic, you can simply move down the beach.
• Indicators (Raglan) - A difficult paddle on a big day, best done from the relative safety of Whale Bay or the headland to the east of it. Indicators is the main break but depending on the size of the swell, another 3 spots can be found along this inlet.
• Manu Bay (Raglan) - Manu Bay is a medium length left hander that ramps along a rocky point, nice longboarding wave.
• Stent Road - One of the better right handers near Taranaki. A great wave easily accessible from the road. Stent Road can handle true size. The takeoff can be a little hairy and the wave will either bowl or fatten out before reeling into a long wall section.
• Wainui Beach - Wainui Beach about 6 kms from Gisborne is the great spot for surfers of all levels . The best waves are found off the southern reefs , offering superb right and left breaks. The Island 1 km before Wainui has Gisborne’s longest tubes. There are two left hand reef breaks which work in big southerly swells.

South Island

• Kaikoura - Kaikoura is a popular surfing destination, with quality reef breaks; left and right hand point breaks; and beach breaks all up and down the coast. A couple of national compititions are held here every year. The main breaks here are Mangamanu and Meatworks.
• Papatowai - NZ's premier big wave location. Not for the faint hearted, needs about 10ft+ to break and big, raw southerly swells from Antarctica bring freezing waters.

Season & Weather

The main source of swell for both is from the low pressure systems of the roaring forties but New Zealand is fortunate to pick up swell from just about anywhere. Waves can be generated from the south, the west from the Tasman Sea, and north from cyclone systems and east from depressions.