Surfing

West Coast

Head north in search of New Zealand’s sensational surf and discover the wild, desolate black sand beaches of the ‘Winterless North’. Shipwreck Bay, Ahipara (16 kms west of Kaitaia). This surfing mecca at the southern tip of the famous Ninety Mile Beach has one of New Zealand’s best left-hand point breaks.

East Coast

The immense variety of surf locations on this coast could easily have you cruising in the sun and enjoying fun waves all summer long.

Auckland is spoiled for choice surf locations, with two coasts and several northern beaches just an hours drive from downtown.

The birthplace of Malibu board riding in New Zealand, Piha is the country’s most famous surfing beach as well as one of best New Zealand beaches, Muriwai, Karekare and Bethells are also on the west coast.

Raglan and Whale Bay

The hills are covered with native trees, while the beach itself is world-renowned for its surf. The left-hand point break is a favorite of surfers. A great place to learn the skill with a number of surf schools in the area. With a number of surf schools in the area this is a great place to learn to surf. Well, the tight curves of the Taranaki coastline serve up some of the best surf beaches in the country. When the swell’s up you can choose epic fast-breaking barrels coming from three points of the compass on any given day. New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Beach faces north, Stent Road faces west, and Opunake Beach faces south-west: so you are guaranteed adrenalin-pumping rides all within a 60 km radius.

Travellers looking for the ideal place to ride fabulous waves often head for the Bay of Plenty. Ocean Beach is dramatic, and popular for surfing and bodysurfing. For good reason, Mount Maunganui is dubbed “Surf City.” Gisborne’s marvellous surf beaches have attracted surfers since the early 1960’s. The coastline is affected by long ocean swells coming from both the east and south so you can usually catch a wave at one of the local beaches. Wainui beach is popular with local surfers.

If you have a taste for uncharted territory and the experience to cope with challenging surf exploring the Wairarapa coast is an attractive option. The access roads are mainly loose gravel, and the weather is notoriously changeable, but the big waves make it worth the effort. Wellington’s south coast surf activity is centred on Lyall Bay where Maranui Surf Club members pioneered surf riding boards back in the 1920’s. Driving up the west coast from Wellington brings you to the Kapiti Coast to  Titahi Bay where there are good beach breaks.

Kaikoura

Surf a point break under the watchful eye of friendly fur seals or glance out to sea to catch a glimpse of a passing dolphin pod or a surfacing sperm whale.

Christchurch offers pleasant suburban surfing beaches, New Brighton &  Sumner, Taylor’s Mistake has been a local surfing legend since the 1960’s. Down the South Canterbury coast, 5 kms south of Timaru and between Oamaru and Moeraki are the best spots to try out.

Welcome to the wildest stretch of exposed surf coastline in New Zealand.. Ironically in this environment you sometimes have to wait until the waves diminish in size before heading out.

You have a choice of over 40 breaks within a one hour drive of Dunedin city. Crisp winds and chilly waters dictate the need for a good wetsuit but  this coast can deliver the best surfing in the South Island.