The Best Surf Spots in New Zealand
We are super lucky here in New Zealand to live in an absolute surfer’s playground. Boasting over 15,000 kilometres of natural coastline, we have hundreds of amazing spots that get some wicked breaks.
If you’re doing a van trip around the country, why not strap your surfboard on top and check out some of the best surf spots New Zealand has to offer? Here are some of the Mojo Campers team’s favourite places to go surfing.
Taranaki, North Island
We could probably write a whole blog about the surf in this region alone.
Spanning 180 degrees of coastline between New Plymouth and Hawera along the west coast of the North Island, State Highway 45 is known by some as the Surf Highway. Follow any road from here to the coastline, and you are almost guaranteed to find a world-class surf break.
We really can’t just tell you about one place to surf in Taranaki. Some of the most popular spots in this region include:
Fitzroy Beach, New Plymouth
Ahu Ahu, Ōakura
Ōhawe, Hāwera
Kumera Patch, Ōkato
There are also a bunch of great little towns to stop by along the way, along with the stunning Egmont National Park/Te Papakura o Taranaki. Chat to some locals about their favourite beaches for surfing, and you might come across a hidden gem.
2. Northland, North Island
Famous for its white-sand beaches, Northland has got some amazing surf spots with ultra-clean waves. It’s one of the most incredible places in the country to spend your summer - and the bitter cold of winter doesn’t quite reach this far north. You can’t go wrong.
Year-round, cruise around Northland to guarantee yourself a wicked surfing experience. Here are some of our top picks for Northland surfing:
Mangawhai Heads
Sandy Bay, Tutukaka Coast
Shipwreck Bay, Ahipara
Mātauri Bay
The Bluff, halfway up Ninety Mile Beach
3. Raglan, Waikato, North Island
Raglan is one of the top surf towns in New Zealand. With three epic point breaks which attract surfers from around the world, Raglan is not just a good surf spot. It is a place that delivers a fantastic surfing community full of cool, like-minded people and a super laid-back vibe.
Raglan’s primary surf spots are:
Ngaranui Beach, for beginners
Manu Bay
Whale Bay, best for advanced surfers
Indicators, best for advanced surfers
4. East Coast, North Island
If you’re taking your Mojo Campervan around the Gisborne area, make sure you check out the beaches around this region! Both north and south swells come into the coast around the Gisborne city beaches and north of the town. Along with your surfboard, don’t forget to pack a bodyboard as well so you can check out Rere Falls, New Zealand’s best natural waterslide!
Some of the best surfing spots around Gisborne include:
Stock Route
Makorori Point
Wainui Beach
Waikanae Beach
5. West Coast, South Island
Considered by some as the Wild West Coast, surfers from all over are attracted to the full-on surf breaks this region has to offer. Since the West Coast takes on more storms than the rest of the country, it gets some of the most consistent swells in NZ - but make sure you’re careful! Plus, the drive from Nelson to Haast (and then through to Wānaka, because why not) is an absolute van trip must!
Much of the surf is hard to access from here, and the best surf spots on the West Coast tend to lie between Greymouth and Karamea:
Blaketown, Greymouth
Safety Bay, Fox River
Carters Beach, Westport
Karamea Beach, Karamea
6. Otago, South Island
With Dunedin as your base, you will have access to a number of northern and southern-facing beaches, so you should be able to consistently find a good swell somewhere. Many beaches in this region get consistent swells of 1-3 metres, reaching up to 6 metres in the wintertime.
Stay in town and surf at Dunedin’s most popular spot, St Clair, to meet other surfers and have access to some delish cafes on the esplanade, or venture out to some of these places:
Blackhead
Smails Beach
Karitane Beach
Make sure to stay extra mindful of your surroundings when surfing near Dunedin, as the region gets the occasional shark report and lots of sea lions make their homes on its shores.
7. Southland, South Island
Southland doesn’t just consist of farm country - it is a hidden gem for delivering unbroken waves for surfers. Check out the Catlins to discover stunning beaches and rugged landscapes, waterfalls, and more, or head west of Invercargill to find a strip of charming coastal towns that surfers flock to.
Our favourite surf spots in Southland are:
Curio Bay, Catlins
Colac Bay
Porridge
Monkey Island Beach