New Zealand is a real surfers paradise with a huge coastline to explore offering numerous secret spots and vast areas of wilderness where
you’ll find beaches with nobody else in the water. Don’t be fooled like every surf destination New Zealand does have crowds especially
near the main urban areas and the more famous spots such as Raglan and Piha. New Zealand has two very different coastlines the West
Coast and East Coast, each having their own different characteristics. The West is reputed to be rough and wild, the East calmer and more
picturesque, however Piha can produce pristine clean surf and Gisborne is renowned for powerful heavy waves. New Zealand has quality
surf year round however there is a large difference between the seasons. During the summer months New Zealand experiences calmer
conditions with predominant north easterly weather creating consistent north east swell for the north east coast and smaller offshore clean
conditions for the west coast. Between the months of December through April New Zealand also receives tropical storms from the pacific
producing epic cyclone swell lighting up many areas that lay dormant for the majority of the year. Winter is a different proposition all together
where huge southerly storms in Antarctica produce large long period ground swells that wrap into protected points and reefs along both east
and west coasts.
The winterless north as it’s more commonly known is the ultimate surf destination offering New Zealand’s warmest and most humid climate,
where boardshorts can easily be worn throughout the summer months. With the east and west coasts being only 15 minutes apart, you
double your chances of scoring waves. If the Pacific coast is flat and onshore, jump in the truck and no doubt there will be offshore waves
on the Tasman coast. The far north is home to one of the world’s best and longest left hand points Shipwrecks Bay, where 4WD vehicles are
used to access 8km’s of exceptional point break action. Large southerly swells wrap into the points creating amazing long rides that can be
over one kilometre long. The less consistent east coast, with the right swell direction can produce epic hollow barreling peaks on beautiful
white sand beaches.
A 50 minute drive from Auckland international airport is Aucklands west coast, a beautiful rugged coastline that offers consistent quality
and often very hollow beach breaks. Winter brings constant south west storms that can last for a week, while summer offers smaller cleaner
offshore conditions. Piha’s black sand beach is set amongst rugged cliffs and dense bush valleys resulting in an inspiring and magical
backdrop while surfing. South Piha has a quality left hand bar break which can be very hollow and has long workable walls. North Piha’s
river mouth can produce quality sandbanks with long rippable walls and inside barrel sections, while caves at the far north of the beach
can have amazing tubing peaks.
Is a sleepy coastal town home to three excellent left hand point break that peel mechanically over volcanic reef and boulders. Raglan is
remarkably consistent with a large headland allowing large southwest swells to wrap 90 degrees and is offshore in the prevailing south
westerly winds. Manu bay is the first of the three world class points, featuring an intense barreling takeoff section followed by a long ripable
wall. Whale Bay the next point out is the mellowest of the points, with a casual takeoff then the wave hits a rocky section and rifles down
the line. The last point is indicators which is the fastest and longest of the points, having two sections Outsides and Insides. Outsides has an
intense takeoff into a barrel followed by a long smashable wall often linking up to insides. Insides features a bowling takeoff followed by a fast
wall as well as barrels on the inside valley section.
Gisborne is New Zealands most famous surfing destination, home to high quality powerful hollow waves. Gisborne is extremely consistent
coping the full brunt of southerly, easterly and northerly swells. Due to its remote location and relaxed atmosphere there is opportunity to
score pumping waves with only a few local crew out. Gisborne is a great launching point for your surf adventure being the gateway to both
the isolated Eastcape and fabled Mahia. The “Island” is Gisborne’s premier surf break, an offshore island requiring a solid paddle featuring
grinding left and right hand reef breaks. Gisborne is also home to hollow beach breaks. Wainui Beach on its day can be compared to beach
breaks found in Mexico and France, complete with intense barrels and high performance walls. Other classic beach breaks include Makarori
and Pipe which are also very high quality.
Taranaki is one of New Zealand’s better known surf spots due to its consistency and large range of breaks including reefs, bars, points and
beachies. Tarankai surfing profile has increased dramatically over the last few years as it is now home to a womens professional surfing event
Taranaki has a swell window of almost 180 degrees so there is always a chance of finding somewhere uncrowded that’s pumping and offshore.
The north side features Waiwhakaiho a river bar break producing a solid a-frame peak with hollower rights and long walling rights. The jewel
of Taranaki is Stent Road a big pumping right hand point break producing an intense take off followed by a fast wall expect anything from full
on barrels to long cut back sections. South Taranaki has even more reef and point setups and is exposed to larger surf, the most well known
spot Mungahumes a big exposed reef that can handle up to 15 foot.
Kaikoura is famous for its whale watching, spectacular snow capped mountains and epic right hand point breaks. Kaikoura’s waves are
intensified by deep ocean trenches and tidal upwellings. The majority of the surf breaks are located in a small geographic area and features
its own micro climate in winter where mountains funnel down light offshore winds creating amazing glassy conditions uncommon in
New Zealand. The water here can get cold so be sure to have a quality steamer and all the rubber accessories. Mungamanu is the crown jewel
of the South Island an epic right hand point break that peels for hundreds of metres down a boulder point. Manga is the ultimate wave featuring
outside, middle and inside sections with the inside being the pick producing long rippable walls and multiple barrel sections. Meatworks is a
swell magnet which is rarely flat in winter, producing grunty right and left peaks breaking over boulder reef. Kahutara is a legendary point
break featuring freight train walls that jack up and fire down the line producing big barrels.
Dunedin is one of New Zealand’s finest areas for surfing and one of the least populated. Home to an amazing range of beaches, bars, points
and reefs. If you’re keen to adventure there’s definitely something for everyone. In Dunedin marine life and cold temperatures add another
dimension to your surf with snow often down to the water line and abundant seals, dolphins and the occasional shark. Be prepared to wear a
lot of rubber as Dunedin gets cold but the reward is tenfold. Dunedin almost has too many options, here is a few of the best. Murdering Bay is a
quality right hand point break that produces long peeling waves complete with outside manoeuvre sections and inside tube rides. Aramoana
Spit and Allens Beach are two epic beach breaks consisting of heavy barrelling peaks.
Located on the south western side of the south island, Fiordland is the most isolated parts of New Zealand, providing surfers with a feeling
of remote wilderness experienced in few places around the globe. Southwest New Zealand is home to snow-capped mountains, rivers of ice,
deep lakes, unbroken forests and tussock grasslands producing a landscape of exceptional beauty. There is never a shortage of swell in
Fiordland with large south swells wrapping into the numerous point and reef breaks, while smaller west swells being ideal for the beachies or river
mouths. The main surfing area in Fiordland is Big Bay aptly named for being a large bay open to large swell window and able to handle winds
from a variety of directions. The main break is ‘Orchards’ a grunty A-frame reef that handles almost any swell, further north are a variety of
reef and points while to the south there are sucky beachies and an extermely hollow river mouth.