lifestyle

Surfing in New Zealand might become the best experience in your life

My adventures in this country began with my arrival on the island. I traveled a lot, but I only got to ride a couple of times.

Anyway, I managed to fully plunge into the surfing atmosphere of New Zealand and am ready to tell you how amazing it is.

About 700 small islets adjoin the main territory of the state.

The western coasts are washed by the Tasman Sea, and the rest of the most beautiful country is washed by the Pacific Ocean.

What time is it worth going to New Zealand

Surfing in New Zealand

New Zealand is rightfully considered the queen of surfing or a kind of Mecca.

About 6000 km of coastline there is a constant tide for surfers, which can be practiced here almost all year round.

The best time is the local summer, which lasts from mid-November to mid-March. Therefore, the hot months here are January and February. The coolest month when the temperature reaches zero is July.

Surf spots

Raglan Beach New Zealand

Raglan Beach, located on the western coast of the North Island, is especially loved by locals and tourists.

It is half an hour from Hamilton and a couple of hours from Auckland. You can get there by public transport or by car.

The place has become famous for the best tides. It is here that Manu Bay has the longest left-hand wave, catching which you can swim about two kilometers.

Numerous hostels offer their surfing schools for beginners looking for their adrenaline rush.

Raglan Beach from the first minutes conquers with its unprecedented beauty of landscapes and the view of huge blue waves with a greenish tint.

The ocean near Zealand is the same as it is depicted in the pictures of the fabulous islands. Another feature is the coal-black sand, which is constantly very hot.

The best New Zealand spots on the North Island

The most popular surfing spot on the North Island of Zealand is Raglane, located on the Tasman Sea coast, just half an hour from Hamilton, one of the largest cities in the country.

The best surfing seashores in the region are located in Kitov and Manu Bay, just 15 minutes’ drive from Raglane.

It is a creative hub that has produced some of New Zealand’s most distinguished musicians. It has great restaurants and amazing independent cafes, and the residents’ focus on sustainable living is a bit of an excuse.

What Raglan is most famous for, although it is surfing Mecca. It is a common belief among both local and foreign surfers that Manu Bay in Raglan has one of the most consistent, most affordable and longest left-handed breaks in the world.

If you have the bill-paying skills when it comes to surfing boards, you can catch one of these left-handers and cruise up to two kilometers.

Make sure you are down to tobacco when it comes to horse riding as well as surfing. Throwing people away in the holy land will not be kind.

Manu Bay Beach New Zealand

Manu Bay seashore in Manu Bay is known as the site of the longest and most stable left-handed wave and is the first choice for professional surfers.

It also makes sense to beginners to come to New Zealand, since a surfing school is open on Manu Bay.

In addition to Manu Bay, the Raglane area is home to another top-notch surfing spot, the Indicator Beach, characterized by the constant presence of fast tides. It is ideal to intermediate to upper intermediate athletes.

The black volcanic sand of Raglane seashores will not leave indifferent those who come to New Zealand to swim, sunbathe and at the same time watch the surfers glide over the tides.

The second most popular black sand seashore in New Zealand is located in the town of Piha.

The presence of underwater currents and whirlpools makes Piha Beach unsafe for beginner surfers, but attracts a large number of seasoned athletes, so international surfing competitions are regularly held here.

This beach getaway is highly prized by New Zealanders and deserves its reputation as one of the nicest breaks in the country. Just 20 minutes from downtown Auckland to Piha shore , making it pleasant and comfortable.

On the other hand, he is also very busy, so make sure you know the rules. It is a great place to start your NZ surfing journey as it suits all abilities.

surfing in Gisborne, New Zealand

The third popular surfer destination in New Zealand is the town of Gisborne, where both experienced and novice athletes come in search of a suitable tide.

Due to its remoteness, it is not as crowded as other surfing spots on the North Island.

In this region, the most popular shores are Maraenui and Waikanae. The first is more suitable to mid-level athletes, the second – to beginners.

At Maraenui, surfers will love the powerful right-handed slow-exit waves, while Waikanae will enjoy the gentle one and a half meter waves.

They don’t call Highway 45 — the main road that makes its way down the Taranaki coastline — Wireless Highway 45. Taranaki is rife with great breaks throughout.

You could spend an unforgettable week cruising Surf Highway 45 and stopping at any places that interest you. All you have to do is keep an eye on the surfing report in the area.

Three local favorites are Ahu Ahu, Patch Coomer and the Graveyard.

The failure of the White Rock is its inconsistency. However, when all goes well, this is a great spot for those in Wairarapa looking to catch some big, tricky waves.

It pays to be careful where you are in relation to the rocks, as the waves usually have a steep fall towards them and a powerful wall.

surfing in Makorori Point New Zealand

Surfing spot Makorori Point, located near Gisborne, has no less ideal conditions. There are almost always steady waves up to 2 m high here.

Confident surfers will appreciate another beach in the Gisborne area – Midway. Here they will be able to ride the left and right waves up to 1.8 m high.

Castle Point is quite literally a shore break, where a depression swells through the entrance to break through on a sandy beach. The seashore itself has a tight curve, creating a perfect frame with long walls and can (with some fingers crossed) a barrel.

What’s great about this small place is that it is sheltered and sheltered from the wind, so when the swelling rolls over, it stays nice, flat and even. This gap is good for all skill levels.

Moreover, it is stunningly beautiful here. If you come with non-surfing assistants, ask them to climb up to the exposed reef and go fishing; seafood is good here.

surfing in Ahipara Beach New Zealand

Ahipara Beach is an ideal place for beginner surfers in New Zealand, where waves do not exceed 1 m. In addition, beginners can learn surfing on the Tutukaka coast by visiting the Sandy Bay and Ngunguru Bar spots located here.

The northern city of Aypara is the place where art relieves blood pressure. Located at the southern end of Ninety Miles Beach and about 14 kilometers west of Kaitai, this hidden rock has one of the best left-handers in the world.

In particular, Shipwreck Bay should be a definite stopover for those traveling with a board.

On a good day, this spot will challenge the person to a surfer, and on a day when the waves are less than yielding, it’s a good place to draw a line and try to catch your lunch.

To get aboard on a calm day, you can always try the massive sand dune dune walking. And after a hard day of grinding, there’s also one of Northland’s award-winning wineries just around the corner.

Hot Water Beach is recognized as one of the most beautiful and versatile beaches in New Zealand.

It is suitable for athletes of all skill levels, making it possible to master the waves in both right and left directions.

The main feature of this beach is the presence of hot mineral springs, which you can enjoy while waiting for low tide.

Other popular spots on the North Island visited by experienced athletes are Opunake Beach, Pyatak Kamera, Fangamata and Slent Road, where high waves form, requiring good fitness and experience from surfers.

South Island Spots

The South Island, while less populated than the North Island, is a surfer’s paradise looking for uninhabited and picturesque beaches.

The most suitable spots for surfing on the South Island in Zealand are Christchurch, Kaikourou and Dunedin.

To the south of Dunedin there is a zone of the so-called Far South, which attracts experienced extremists with secluded beaches and the opportunity to catch the wave of their dreams.

Kekerengu, Blue Duck, Iron Gate, Hoaro, Okivi Bay, Butchery and many more. Kaikoura is quietly full of beautiful places where you can spend pleasant hours in the surf.

It might be a little inconsistent here, but if you’re persistent (or lucky), you might be rewarded with some three to four foot right-handed cracks.

In order to actually do the overhead hit, go to Mangamown. This is a boulder beach and tends to suck you out if you don’t know when to surf anymore.

This is a great break for more advanced surfers, with a wave that can break up to several hundred meters. It can offer an incredible ride.

Surfing New Zealand's South Island

A feature of the spots on the South Island is cold water, forcing athletes to wear a wetsuit. Another feature of the beaches in this region is the large difference between the waves of the east and west coasts.

Really, surfing in this part of the world is not something that everyone will have the time or dedication to do. Not because of the conditions it is imperative, but because reaching some spots of descent is quite a mission.

You are indeed at the southern end of the world below. The weather and waves are damp. This is wild.

This is the kind of place that you shouldn’t even think about getting into the water if you are unsure of your abilities or equipment, because it can be relentless.

surfing in South Island New Zealand

That being said, if you want to catch a helicopter or take a walk for four days, you can find a shiny six-foot cornucopia on a good day.

The best part? The fact that you will most likely be sharing surfing with sea lions and other wildlife.

It’s like surfing in a David Attenborough documentary. The scenery is what will be in your mind forever.

Going to surf the South Island, beginners should choose the east coast, while experienced athletes can try to ride the unpredictable waves of the west coast.

The height of the waves in this region is up to 3 m, but gigantic waves of 6 m in height often occur here.

Fans of extreme recreation, in addition to surfing, can master kayaking and rafting, yachting and sailing, diving and snorkeling.

Not only traditional water activities are available to tourists when visiting New Zealand. Active rest here is also represented by glider and hang gliding, hiking, cycling, horse riding, mountaineering, snowboarding, freestyle, alpine skiing, sport fishing and hunting.

Where to stay?

There are many places where tourists can stay.

Particularly popular is the Solscape Eco Retreat, located in an elevated position outside of Raglan. You can stay in rooms or separate huts with stunning views.

Hotels such as Raglan Sunset, Foxgloves, Waoku Lodge, Scotts Place and many others will conquer with their unsurpassed beauty and picturesque places.

Each of the finest hostels provide many different services to diversify the vacation, as well as provide everything you need for fun surfing for beginners and professionals.

Why is it worth going to New Zealand

New Zealand

This stunning city with an incredible beach will win the souls of tourists visiting this paradise. There is also a famous garage that makes special surfboards.

You can also go diving or paragliding or hang gliding, or you can admire the falling waters from the 60-meter height of the Bridal Veil Falls.

Those who wish can ride the waves, and those who are afraid can admire each other from the beach with admiration.

The Raglan Coast is a unique destination for true relaxation.

Countless crowds of tourists from all over the world flock here to become a part of this beauty at least for a while and plunge into the enchanting world of surfers, becoming new conquerors of giant waves.

This fabulous world will give you a sea of ​​unforgettable impressions, joy and adrenaline! Raglan Beach and Manu Bay are worth a visit for every traveler!

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