Destinations

Surfing in New Zealand

New Zealand is a cold-water surf paradise surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Raglan on the North Island is the country's most famous wave, a long, perfect left-hand point break that has become an icon of Southern Hemisphere surfing. Taranaki's coastline delivers multiple quality point breaks in the shadow of Mount Taranaki's volcanic cone. The east coast of the North Island around Gisborne catches a wide swell window. The South Island's west coast receives powerful Tasman Sea swells that break on remote, wild beaches backed by snow-capped Southern Alps. Water temperatures range from 12C to 20C depending on region and season. New Zealand's uncrowded lineups, dramatic landscapes, and adventurous spirit make it one of the most rewarding surf destinations in the world.


Best destinations in New Zealand

Perfect point breaks, mountain backdrops, and the feeling of having world-class waves all to yourself. New Zealand is one of the most visually stunning and uncrowded surf destinations on earth. Wave Safari connects you with surf houses, local guides, and everything you need to plan a Kiwi surf adventure.
Ahipara
Auckland
Bluff
Chatham Islands
Christchurch
Coromandel
Dunedin
Gisborne
Greymouth
Hastings
Invercargill
Napier
New Plymouth
Raglan
Taranaki
Westport
Whakat?ne
Ahaura
Ahipara
Akaroa
Arrowtown
Arthur's Pass Village
Ashburton
Auckland
Blackball
Blenheim
Bluff
Bulls
Cable Bay
Cape Foulwind
Castlepoint
Chatham Islands
Christchurch
Clarks Beach
Collingwood
Coopers Beach
Coromandel
Curio Bay
Dipton West
Dunedin
Erua
Fox Glacier
Franz Josef / Waiau
Gisborne
Glenbervie
Glenhope
Golden Bay
Greymouth
Hahei
Hanmer Springs
Hapuku
Hastings
Havelock
Havelock North
Hicks Bay
Hokitika
Inchbonnie
Invercargill
Kaeo
Kaiapoi
Kaikoura
Kaiteriteri
Kaniere
Katikati
Kawau Island
Kawhia
Kekerengu
Kerikeri
Kumara
Lake Hawea
Lake Tekapo
Livingstone
Lower Hutt
Makarora
Makorori
Manakau
Manapouri
Mangawhai Heads
Marahau
Marotiri
Matawai
Maungatautari
Methven
Middlemarch
Millers Flat
Moana
Moeraki
Mokihinui
Motueka
Motutere
Mount Maunganui
Murchison
Napier
National Park
Nelson
New Plymouth
North Canterbury
Oakura
Oamaru
Oban
Ohakune
Ohope
Omapere
Omarama
Opotiki
Oreti Beach
Paengaroa
Paihia
Papatowai
Parapara
Paraparaumu
Paraparaumu Beach
Picton
Pigeon Bay
Piha
Pirongia
Pokeno
Porirua
Port Waikato
Portage
Pukekawa
Pukekohe
Pukorokoro / Miranda
Punakaiki
Putaruru
Queenstown
Raetihi
Raglan
Ranfurly
Rapahoe
Reefton
Ross
Rotorua
Rotorua, 3074
Runanga
Russell
Southland Region
Springfield
Taihape
Tairua
Takaka
Tapora
Taranaki
Taumarunui
Taupo
Tauranga
Taylorville
Te Anau
Te Arai
Te Kaha
Te Kuiti
Te Miko
Te Puru
Tekapo
Tokanui
Tokomaru Bay
Totara Flat
Tuakau
Tuatapere
Turangi
Tutukaka
Twizel
Upper Hutt
Waiheke
Waiheke Island
Waihi Beach
Waikaretu
Waikato
Waikawa
Waimarino
Wairarapa
Wairaurahiri
Wairoa
Waitomo Caves
Wanaka
Westport
Whakat?ne
Whakatane
Whangamata
Whanganui
Whangarei
Whangarei Heads
Whangaruru
Whitianga

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Frequently asked on Wavesafari

New Zealand's most celebrated surf spot is Raglan on the North Island's west coast — a legendary left-hand point break that was famously featured in the surfing film The Endless Summer and remains one of the Southern Hemisphere's most iconic waves. The South Island's west coast receives powerful Southern Ocean swells at breaks like Tauranga Bay, while the east coast offers more accessible conditions around Gisborne — which claims to be the first city to see the sun each day and has a vibrant surf culture. Piha and Muriwai near Auckland offer quality beach break surf within reach of the country's largest city.
New Zealand's peak surf season is autumn and winter, from April through August, when Southern Ocean and Tasman Sea low-pressure systems generate consistent groundswells. August and September offer the most powerful and frequent swell windows. Summer (December–February) is the most popular tourist season but also the least consistent for surf. Water temperatures range from 12°C in winter to around 19°C in summer on the North Island — a 4/3mm wetsuit covers most of the year.
New Zealand consistently ranks as one of the world's most extraordinary travel destinations, and surfing here comes packaged with one of the most dramatic natural environments on earth. Raglan sits within easy reach of the Waitomo Caves and Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Coromandel Peninsula's surf beaches are surrounded by lush native bush. A South Island surf road trip combines powerful cold-water waves with fjords, glaciers, and the Southern Alps. New Zealand surf travel is inherently also adventure travel of the highest order.
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