Surfing in New Zealand

Any beach exposed to the open sea will offer surf-able waves in the right weather conditions, though the North Island’s west coast, especially around Auckland, is the best known surfing area. Piha, Raglan, New Plymouth and Wellington can all be surfed year round. Northland has surfing on both coasts.

Many east coast beaches have un-crowded surf. A number of locations in Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty, especially the famous Mount Maunganui, are also popular surf beaches.

There is hardly a beach in Eastland north of Gisborne which cannot be surfed.

Surfing in the South Islan is mainlah a summer sport; Kaikoura, Christchurch ad Dunedin are the eash coast localities, and although some locals surf on the West Coast the rough weather renders conditions unpredictable.

Fitness, the ability to swim well, and the common sense not surf alone are the main safety factors.