Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Can be sailed in any wind even direct offshore due to crescent shape. SE best as this coincides with good ground swells.
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Extra: Best wave sailing on east coast within hour of Auckland. Don't be surprised to find great sailing and not another kiter or windsurfer in site.
Accommodations: Shop, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Beautiful waves and no one around.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: 90 miles of untouched beach.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Warm during summer, colder during the rest of the year.
Wind specificities: Sideshore: NNW and SSE.
Access description: by Car - From Auckland drive all the way to the north, about 300 km, and get to Ahipara. here the Ninety Mile Beach starts. To access, you need a 4x4. Beautiful drive on the beach. Bring enough gas.
Specific rules: None
Extra: Nothing around, so bring everything you need.
Nightlife: No nightlife.
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Currents, Ships
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Super flat on the northern side. Small chop on southern side. Depending on tide there is a current flowing in the channel. Works on all tides but best at high tide.
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Infos: The beach is narrow at high tide. Launch off the end of the sand spit. No real issues with the launch except the strong wind. Beach is mostly sand with a few shells. Entry is by 3 methods: 1) launch from southern side and sail round the point. 2) walk 500m along the spit from Glendowie and launch from end (best option). 3) sail across estuary from Buckland Beach side. This works great at low tide but watch current and ferries and moored yachts.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Water temp is 15C in winter, 23C in summer. Best seasons are winter and summer. A wetsuit is necessary in case you get into trouble in the channel. Air temps are similar to water temps but in winter the southerlies that work great here bring cooler than average temps so it won't be warm.
Wind type: Thermal, Frontal
Wind specificities: This spot only suits wind over 20 knots. Best direction is SW to SSE which occur during winter and also during summer along with the occasional 15-25 knot thermal. The strong westerlies common in spring are the wrong direction for this spot. In winter the southerlies work great here.
Best months: January, February, June, July, August, December
Access description: by Car - Head to Glendowie, get the map out and head to the end of West Tamaki Rd.
Specific rules: Other
Extra: Watch for tidal currents in channel, ferries etc. Use a kite leash at all times.
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Small waves, choppy.
Infos: Sandy beach.
Identified hazards: Rocks
Weather specificities: Summer months, October to April around 20+C), best May to June marginal and July to October winter months it's cold (10-14C), but possible to ride.
Wind specificities: Good in Northerlies. The bay curves, so North will be onshore to in the south of the bay.
Access description: by Car - From Wellington drive north to Porirua and then north to Onepoto and Titahi Bay. From here into the park and then all the way to to north tip.
Specific rules: None
Extra: It is a park, so behave accordingly.
Nightlife: Possums perhaps?
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: River
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Water is very shallow for most of it. Most of the creek works best at high tide. No waves, just chop when really windy.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Beach with sand and shells. Not crowded here at all, even in 30C summer days. Many access points.
Identified hazards: Shells
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Water temp is warm during summer, about 30C. In winter about 10-15C. Air temp ranges from 14-20C in winter to 21-32C in summer. Wetsuit definitely not required in summer but sun is fierce so rash shirt required. Season here runs all year.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Wind is best here in the afternoon. Best season here is spring with heaps of 20+ knot days from the West or SW (almost every day). Summer thermal breezes can occasionally reach this far east and are usually 10-20 knots. Afternoon winter winds are also quite good here from the WSW after the squalls has eased a bit. Even during autumn sessions here are frequent, despite May being the most fluky season in Auckland. Spring is very windy. All wind directions work here.
Best months: September, October, November
Access description: by Car - Go to Pakuranga, then to Howick and then to Whitford. Drive North to the water and depending on the wind direction to the west or east side. Find a spot to launch.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: No nightlife. For nightlife drive 50km to Auckland.
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lake
Water type: Flat, Chop
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Flat to choppy water.
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand, Pebbles - Medium
Infos: Gravel and coarse sand. Large grass areas to rig and plenty of car parks. Launch anywhere along this shore line. Not the largest beach and varies according to annual glacial melt. Lots of obstructions in close vicinity, beware!
Identified hazards: Other
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Hot in summer, high 20sC, damn cold in winter. You may need a wetsuit all seasons.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Prone to extended periods of high pressure in summer (December to March) can be frustrating. Closer to winter regular frontal activity that brings a good breeze. Seldom fluky. Blows infrequently but when on usually can be depended on for several days at a time and to be strong. Predominantly NNW (onshore) or a bitterly cold southerly. Prevailing northwesterly is onshore and when blows, it blows hard. Expect upwards of 25 knots.
Access description: by Car - Get to Wanaka from Queenstown via Cromwell or the Crown Range. Long drive from Christchurch via Twizel. The beach is accessible from the main drag which parallels the lake shore.
Extra: Avoid the local high school kids, not to be trusted in any instance. After a good session pop over to the snack shack for some legendary hot chips.
Accommodations: Shop, Toilet, Food
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: 0.5 meter waves generated by the wind. Can get some decent swell if the wind comes from the Northeast.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Soft, dark Grey sand, with a bit of seaweed on the high tide water mark. The beach is a big bay (15 km long) and is pretty safe as long as you don't ride too far out.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: NW wind brings usually fine dry weather with strong winds, and the kind of trees and grass around is a definite proof this is dominant weather. Wetsuit required all year long. Wind is strong, and water not that warm in South NZ.
Wind specificities: Main wind is NW, the spot can probably get some good Easterlies as well, but that's just a guess. The bay curves, making several directions sideshore. Futher south E and W, all the way up north N and S.
Access description: by Car - From the main road Blenheim / Kaikoura (1), next to Seddon, follow signs to Lake Grassmere/Saltworks/Marfells Beach. 8 km gravel road along the lake. Campground at Marfells Beach.
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Rooms, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: River
Water type: Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Currents, Ships
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Best months: January, February, March, October, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Access description: by Car -
View spot
Level: Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave, Big wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Animals, Currents, Fishernets
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Big shore break, big surf, best for experts, big currents usually heading north. Best on SSW wind with big E swell, pushes current back toward the S to make it easier to stay upwind.
Infos: Easiest launching on the beach at any tide, can launch land on Kettle Park, but there are now many fences. Watch out for the updraft off the dunes in onshore winds. Can also be very gusty in sideshore winds. Stay well clear of the temporary pier for construction of the new sewage outfall.
Weather specificities: A wetsuit is always needed.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Can be very squally and changeable weather when S or SW, pick your days, any offshore winds not recommended as the dunes mess up the wind.
Best months: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December
Access description: by Car, Bus - Located in St. Kilda, which can be reached by bus as well.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Don't go near the construction area. Don't get caught in the shark nets.
Nightlife: Back to town to go crazy with the university students.
Accommodations: Camping, School, Rescue, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, River Mouth
Water type: Chop, Medium wave, Big wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Currents, Wave breaker, Rocks, Stones
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Excellent waves. Look out for surfers.
Beach type & size: Sand, Pebbles, Rocks - Tidal
Infos: The beach can become fairly crowded, especially during summer.
Identified hazards: Rocks, Bystanders
Beachgoer: January, February, March, April, November, December
Weather specificities: A wetsuit is needed all year round.
Wind specificities: Works best with winds from West to NNE.
Access description: by Car - Just east of New Plymouth. Rigging up gear is possible on the grass areas behind the dunes.
Specific rules: None
Extra: Be careful with the beach crowd and surfers! It's a great place for people to go have a nice "after work" session. Not far from town!
Nightlife: Nearest is in New Plymouth. Typical small town night life; plenty of restaurants to choose from; few busy bars.
Accommodations: Rooms, Camping, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Chop
Water hazards: Shells
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Flat water, small chop. High tide is ideal waist depth. Low tide can still be ridden but 100m walk required from beach. If your riding at low tide make sure you wear boots, lots of oysters and foul bottom.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Beach is pretty small, about 100m long and backs onto a reserve. Mostly shells, odd bit of sand, a few branches around the place. The reserve is ideal for landing kites.
Identified hazards: Shells
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Water is pretty warm, about 25C in summer, cool in winter though, about 15C. No wetsuit needed during summer.
Wind type: Thermal, Frontal
Wind specificities: Best directions here are from the N, NE or NW. Northerlies have a fairly consistent spread throughout the year so there is no real ON/OFF period at this beach. Still touch and go though as Northerlies aren't the prevailing wind direction in AK. The N/NW winds that work well at this spot don't come around that often. Prevailing directions out East Auckland way: Summer: NE isobaric winds. Northerly Sea Breezes. Autumn: NE isobaric winds, odd westerly day. Winter: Anything goes, but mostly SW. Spring: Mostly from WSW, W, windiest season in Auckland. Auckland has no real off season with good winds year round.
Best months: September, October, November
Access description: by Car - From the airport head to Pakuranga, then head to Whitford and carry onto Beachlands. Past Beachlands head to Omana, just before Omana turn a left into a reserve/car park. You can see the firth of Thames and the beach from there. Walk across the reserve to get to beach.
Specific rules: None
Extra: No rules here but commonsense prevails of course. Kiteleash recommended as while reserve doesn't pose a problem for runaway kites, the open road behind it does.
Nightlife: Nothing. Howick is the closest night spot and that's 20km away. Auckland city is over 50km drive.
Accommodations: Toilet, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Currents
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Underfoot conditions aren't that great but water is flat. The north facing beach is excellent for learning. Small chop in channel. North facing spot best at high tide. Channel best when wind opposes tide. Tide current useful for increasing apparent wind.
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand, Pebbles - Small
Infos: Mixture of sand, pebbles and shells. Watch out for broken glass. Nice reserve area for easy landing of the kite. Beach is pretty small.
Identified hazards: Shells, Other
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Air temp in summer is 24C average. Water temp on northern side can exceed 30C so wetsuit definitely not required. In channel the water temp is a comparatively chilly 25C. The best time of year to kite here is summertime, best from December to April.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: Summer thermals can come here for from 2 directions, N and SW. N thermal usually kicks in just before midday and usually peaks at 15 knots (more on occasions) and consistent for those big kite sessions. The SW thermal usually doesn't arrive until mid afternoon, if at all. Strength of SW thermal `Tamaki Doctor` varies from 10-30 knots but usually 15-25kt. In between period creates a hot windless patch with rapidly forming cloud which may produce rain and even thunder. Best directions here are from NE-N and WSW, SW. Winter and spring don't have suitable directions for this beach and the winds then are usually too strong for this place to handle.
Best months: January, February, March, April, December
Access description: by Car - Once at AK airport, get the map out and head to Pakuranga (eastern Suburbs). Once at Pak, get the map out and head to Farm Cove, then get the map out and look for Pak yacht club, drive down a few roads and your get to the yacht club on the eastern shore of the Tamaki Estuary.
Specific rules: Time, Other
Extra: Leash kite at all times, keep out of channel unless experienced, be courteous to other cars in car park. Pick up your rubbish. This place is closed from 9pm to 7am during summer months. (7pm to 7am during winter).
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, River Mouth
Water type: Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Flat and waves. Great riding area.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Sandy beach on both sides of the river.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Summer 10-25C, a wetsuit needed even during summer.
Wind specificities: Season runs form October until May, off-season less wind and cold.
Access description: by Car - From Dunedin south and exit at Waihola. The towards Taieri Mouth. You can launch from the North or South of the river.
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave, Big wave
Water hazards: Currents, None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: A surf beach that is best at low tide. During winter and spring the swells are big. Summer brings small waves of about head high, occasional bigger day. Winter and spring waves can be as high as a house on occasions. The rip currents are not that nasty although care must be taken of course when swell is big.
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Infos: North Piha is 3km long, Lion Rock at the southern end and monkey rock at the northern end. A fairly hard black sandy beach that gets very very hot in summer (you have to run if barefoot). Plenty of launch space at low tide, but limited at high tide. Walk over grassy banks to get to beach. The surf is much more benign than Muriwai. Gets packed in summer with beach goers.
Identified hazards: Rocks
Beachgoer: January, February, December
Weather specificities: Water temp is pretty cold, 12C in winter and 20C in summer. Air temps here can soar above 30C in summer and it's best not to kite here during this time as it will be packed.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Best time of year is spring with consistent westerly quarter winds. Due to mountains behind beach it's less windy here than other west coast spots (eg Muriwai) so is really suited to the 30+ knots that can occur during winter and spring. Summer here is hot with light winds at this spot. Autumn has the odd good day. 20 knots during winter and spring. Windier the further out you head. Spring is best season. Summer thermals are light compared to Huia, Fosters etc but still ok. Winter is a great time to kite here as well. Autumn has mostly light winds (15-20 knots in other AK spots) but here it'll be more like 10-15. It's a place for the days where it's too windy anywhere else in Auckland. Sideshore NNW and SSE.
Best months: September, October, November
Access description: by Car - Get the map out and head to Henderson, then head over the Waitaks, drive down the steep road, smell the burnin brakes, past the turnoff to South Piha and head to north where hopefully you'll see the misty spray caused by the surf/wind.
Specific rules: Other
Extra: Patrolled beach during summer, less dangerous than other AK west coast spots. Very crowded in summer, best in winter, spring. Kite leash recommended as is helmet as it is a wave sailing spot.
Nightlife: Got to Auckland (40km away).
Accommodations: Camping, Shop, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water quality: Clean
Infos: For windsurfers it works a maximum of 1.5 h either side of high tide. Flat water with NE wind.
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand, Rocks - Small
Identified hazards: Rocks, Trees
Wind specificities: North easterlies work as well and provide flat water, a bit gusty though.
Access description: by Car -
Extra: Water tap and shower, so bring water a water hose and you can clean your gear at the spot.
Accommodations: Shower, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Lake
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Medium wave and perfect flat water behind the beach on Lake Onoke with southerlies.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Sandy beach, lots of space.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Summer months, October to April around 20+C, best May to June marginal and July to October winter months it's cold (10-14C), but possible to ride.
Wind specificities: Good in a strong southerly.
Access description: by Car - From Wellington to Lower Hutt, then towards Martinborough. Turn south until you reach Lake Ferry.
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lake
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Stakes
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Flat to choppy water. Big shallow area. Look out for stakes close to shore.
Beach type & size: Grass - Medium
Infos: Meadow to rig and launch from.
Weather specificities: Full wetsuit October and November, shorty after that. Winter very cold.
Wind type: Thermal
Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December
Access description: by Car - From Leeston drive south towards Lakeside. Then to Timber and get onto Timber Yard Road which takes you to the lake.
Specific rules: None
Extra: Free camping.
Accommodations: Camping, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: A large bay 5km wide and 5km long. Water is very shallow for most of it. Most of the bay works best at high tide. No waves, just chop when really windy. Riding area just south of Marina.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Beach with sand and shells. Not crowded here at all, even in 30C summer days.
Identified hazards: Stones, Shells
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Water temp is warm during summer, about 30C. In winter about 10-15C. Air temp ranges from 14-20C in winter to 21-32C in summer. Wetsuit definitely not required in summer but sun is fierce so rash shirt required. Season here runs all year.
Wind type: Thermal, Frontal
Wind specificities: Wind is best here in the afternoon. Best season here is spring with heaps of 20+ knot days from the West or SW (almost every day). Summer thermal breezes can occasionally reach this far east and are usually 10-20 knots. Afternoon winter winds are also quite good here from the WSW after the squalls has eased a bit. Even during autumn sessions here are frequent, despite May being the most fluky season in Auckland. Best direction here is NW but as NW winds are rare, WSW is the most often ridden direction here. Spring is nearly always onshore here but very windy.
Best months: September, October, November
Access description: by Car - Go to Pakuranga, then to Howick and then to Whitford, carry on through Whitford, at Formosa golf course turn left and go down the road to the marina, bridge is on the left and Pine Harbour Beach. Further North you will find Pine Harbour Point.
Specific rules: None
Extra: In some directions you can get away with no kite leash so long as it's under 20 knots. It's a very safe beach, no restrictions but common sense always applies as with all spots. A low tide spot with better wind than the beach.
Nightlife: The marina is very close, there is a bar/cafe there. However in general it's a very quiet area and a 50km drive to Auckland city.
Accommodations: Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot