The Beginner's Guide to Surfing in New Zealand (2026)
From Northland to Dunedin, we analysed 365 days of surf data across 420+ spots to find where beginners can get the best waves. Here's everything you need to know.
Want to learn to surf in New Zealand but don't know where to start?
You're in the right place. We've spent the last month analysing 365 days of surf data across 420+ spots to find out where beginners actually get waves in Aotearoa. Not necessarily where the pros shred. Not necessarily where the Instagram clips come from. Where you can learn, progress, and fall in love with surfing.
Here's the thing about New Zealand: we've got waves everywhere. But not all waves are created equal, especially when you're learning.
As a beginner, you need:
- Mellow, small to medium waves (not the overhead monsters)
- Sandy beaches (not reef breaks that'll turn you into a cheese grater)
- Somewhere to get lessons or rent a board
- Consistency (nothing worse than driving hours for flat surf)
So we crunched the numbers. Every region. Every spot. Every day of 2025. And we've put together the most comprehensive guide to beginner surfing in New Zealand that exists.
Let's get wet!
How We Ranked These Spots
Before we dive in, here's what the numbers mean:
- Good days = Days with 3+ hours of beginner-suitable surf
- Perfect days = Days with 3+ hours of ideal conditions (perfect wave size AND perfect winds)
We looked at every spot in every region and ranked them by consistency. Because here's the truth: the only way you miss out on waves is if you're not paying attention.
πΊοΈ Quick Links: Jump to Your Region
North Island:
- Bay of Plenty - The beginner's paradise π₯ Best Place in NZ for Lessons
- Waikato (Raglan) - The legendary learner spot π₯ Second Best Place in NZ for Lessons
- Gisborne - Sunny Gizzy delivers π₯ Third Best Place in NZ for Lessons
- Hawke's Bay - Hidden gem alert π₯ Third Most Consistent Beginner Surf in NZ
- Coromandel - Stunning scenery, consistent waves
- Auckland West Coast - Wild and powerful
- Auckland East Coast - Sheltered and mellow
- Northland West Coast - Remote consistency
- Northland East Coast - Beautiful bays, beginner-friendly
- Taranaki - Mountain views and reliable surf
- East Cape - Remote adventure territory
- Mahia - The peninsula paradise
- Wellington - Capital city waves
- Kapiti - Wellington's doorstep
- Wairarapa - Wild east coast
South Island:
- Dunedin - Cold water, big payoff π₯ Most Consistent Beginner Surf in NZ
- Christchurch - Surprising consistency π₯ Second Most Consistent Beginner Surf in NZ
- Kaikoura - Where mountains meet the sea
- West Coast - Wild and remote
- Nelson - Quiet and rewarding
North Island
Bay of Plenty - π₯ Best Place in NZ for Lessons
The verdict: One of New Zealand's most beginner-friendly regions. Period.
The Bay of Plenty delivered 200+ beginner-friendly days at spots like Waihi Beach and Mount Maunganui. Long sandy beaches, consistent swell, and a massive concentration of surf schools make this the place to learn.
Top spot: Waihi Beach - 214 good days, 73 perfect days
The Mount Maunganui area is absolutely stacked with surf schools. Mount Surf School has a mind-blowing β 5.0 rating from 556 reviews. That's not a typo. 556 reviews, all 5 stars. π€―
Waikato (Raglan) - π₯ Second Best Place in NZ for Lessons
The verdict: Legendary for a reason.
Raglan is iconic in New Zealand surf culture. And for beginners, Wainui Beach absolutely dominates with 216 good days and 69 perfect days. That's 59% of the year with beginner-suitable surf.
Top spot: Raglan - Wainui Beach - 216 good days, 69 perfect days
Green Wave Raglan has a perfect β 5.0 rating from 495 reviews. The surf school scene here is world-class.
Gisborne - π₯ Third Best Place in NZ for Lessons
The verdict: Sunny Gizzy delivers the goods.
Gisborne is one of New Zealand's premier surf destinations. The east-facing coastline picks up consistent swells, the weather is some of the best in the country, and there's a thriving surf culture here.
Top spot: Wainui - Schools - 206 good days, 87 perfect days
Multiple surf schools with perfect 5.0 ratings serve the Wainui stretch. The name "Schools" literally refers to where the surf schools bring their students.
Hawke's Bay - π₯ Third Most Consistent Beginner Surf in NZ
The verdict: Hidden gem with exceptional consistency.
Hawke's Bay is famous for wine and art deco, but it's also got a surprisingly consistent coastline. The numbers here are remarkable-if you've got your own gear.
Top spot with lessons: Waimarama - 162 good days, 45 perfect days
Top spot with own gear: Aropaoanui - 258 good days, 102 perfect days π€―
That's right. Aropaoanui had beginner-friendly surf more than 70% of the year. 102 perfect days is the highest we've seen in any region. One of the best-kept secrets in New Zealand surfing.
Coromandel
The verdict: Road trip heaven with consistent waves.
The Coromandel Peninsula is a surf trip paradise. East-facing beaches pick up swells from the Pacific, and the combination of stunning scenery and consistent waves makes it one of the best places to learn.
Top spot: Pauanui (Left) - 223 good days, 78 perfect days
Hot Water Beach deserves a special mention: fewer good days overall, but 89 perfect days is exceptional. When it's on here, it's really on. Plus, you can dig your own hot pool in the sand after your session. Choice!
Auckland West Coast
The verdict: Powerful and raw, but rewards those who time it right.
The West Coast tends to be powerful and raw, which means beginner-suitable days are less frequent than other regions. But when conditions line up, these spots deliver quality waves for learning.
Top spot with lessons: Karioitahi - 81 good days, 34 perfect days
Top spot with own gear: Sunset Beach - 192 good days, 75 perfect days (more than double Karioitahi!)
Piha Surf School has a perfect β 5.0 rating from 209 reviews.
Auckland East Coast
The verdict: Sheltered and mellow, but you can still find opporunities to surf.
The East Coast is more sheltered than the wild West Coast, making it generally more beginner-friendly when conditions are right. The trade-off? Surfable days are less frequent due to the protected nature of these breaks.
Top spot: South Reef - 59 good days, 13 perfect days
The numbers are lower here, but that's the nature of sheltered east-facing beaches. When it's on, you'll find mellow, learner-friendly waves.
Northland West Coast
The verdict: Ahipara is your answer.
For beginners on Northland's West Coast, Ahipara Beach is the spot-whether you need lessons, rentals, or just a reliable wave with your own gear.
Top spot: Ahipara Beach - 197 good days, 70 perfect days
NZ Surfbros is just 5 minutes away with a perfect β 5.0 rating from 25 reviews.
Northland East Coast
The verdict: Beautiful bays with serious consistency.
The East Coast is more sheltered than the wild West Coast, making it generally more beginner-friendly. Plus, the natural beauty-stunning bays, clear water, and lush coastline-makes every session feel special.
Top spot with lessons: Sandy Bay - 185 good days, 64 perfect days
Top spot with own gear: TΔkou Bay - 207 good days, 81 perfect days
Aotearoa Surf School has an incredible β 4.9 rating from 934 reviews. Major aura points.
Taranaki
The verdict: Mountain views and reliable waves.
Taranaki's west-facing coastline picks up a tonne of swell, and the beaches around Oakura offer mellow conditions surprisingly often. Plus, that volcano backdrop makes every session feel epic.
Top spot with lessons: Fitzroy - 217 good days, 78 perfect days
Top spot with own gear: Ahu Ahu (Right) - 231 good days, 96 perfect days
New Plymouth Surf School operates right on Fitzroy beach with a perfect β 5.0 rating.
East Cape
The verdict: Remote adventure for the self-sufficient.
The East Cape is one of New Zealand's most remote coastlines. It's the first place in the world to see the sunrise each day, and the waves here are about as uncrowded as it gets. The trade-off? Limited surf school coverage.
Top spot: Opotiki - 196 good days, 68 perfect days
Salt Spray Surf School in Ohope (25 min drive) has a perfect β 5.0 rating from 86 reviews.
Mahia
The verdict: Peninsula paradise for self-sufficient surfers.
The Mahia Peninsula juts out into the Pacific, catching swells from multiple directions. It's stunning, relatively uncrowded, and consistent. The trade-off? No local surf schools.
Top spot: Oraka Beach - 205 good days, 52 perfect days
No lessons or rentals in the area, so this one's for surfers who already have their own gear. But if that's you, it's a gem.
Wellington
The verdict: Capital city waves with a twist.
Lyall Bay is the convenience king when it comes to lessons and rentals on tap. Wellington gets waves!
Top spot with lessons: Lyall Bay Beach - 110 good days, 50 perfect days
Wellington Surf Lessons has a β 4.9 rating from 57 reviews and operates at Lyall Bay.
Kapiti
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The verdict: Wellington's doorstep, more sheltered.
The Kapiti Coast is more sheltered than exposed west coast spots, which means fewer overall surf days but often mellower, more forgiving conditions when it does turn on.
Top spot: Otaki - 128 good days, 46 perfect days
Wellington Surf Lessons operates at multiple Kapiti beaches.
Wairarapa
The verdict: Wild east coast, worth the drive.
Just over the Rimutaka Range from Wellington, the Wairarapa coast is rugged, beautiful, and surprisingly consistent. Wellington Surf Lessons operates at Castle Point, so you can get lessons and rentals right where the waves are.
Top spot with lessons: The Gap - 207 good days, 60 perfect days
Top spot with own gear: Tora Stream - 187 good days, 83 perfect days (highest perfect day count in the region)
South Island
Dunedin - π₯ Most Consistent Beginner Surf in NZ
The verdict: Cold water, serious rewards.
Dunedin is the real deal. Cold water, exposed coastline, and a lot more consistency than most people expect. When conditions line up, beginners get a ton of opportunity here.
Top spot with lessons: St Clair - 279 good days, 115 perfect days
Top spot with own gear: Campbells Bay - 288 good days, 143 perfect days
The big insight? The most consistent beginner surf in Dunedin isn't where the lessons are. If you've got your own gear, Campbells Bay delivers nearly 300 good days a year.
Christchurch - π₯ Second Most Consistent Beginner Surf in NZ
The verdict: Head north for the real consistency.
The city beaches are convenient, but the data doesn't lie: driving north to Leithfield, Amberley, or Waikuku gives you significantly more surfable days-we're talking an extra 50+ days a year compared to the city spots. That's nearly two extra months of surfing opportunities!
Top spot in town: Waimairi - 221 good days, 82 perfect days
Top spot overall: Leithfield Beach - 276 good days, 106 perfect days
New Brighton Surf has a stellar β 5.0 rating from 41 reviews.
Kaikoura
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The verdict: Where mountains meet the sea, and the waves don't stop.
Kaikoura is a unique slice of paradise. Snow-capped mountains tower over the ocean, and the consistency here is next level. You might share a lineup with a fur seal or see dolphins on the way out.
Top spot: Mangamaunu - 256 good days, 94 perfect days
Kiwi Surf Experience is right there with a β 4.8 rating from 39 reviews.
West Coast (South Island)
The verdict: Wild, remote, and seriously consistent.
The West Coast is one of New Zealand's most dramatic and consistent surf regions. The Tasman Sea delivers reliable swells, and the rugged coastline offers plenty of options. This is wild, remote country with rainforests, glaciers, and empty beaches.
Top spot with lessons: Shingles - 235 good days, 118 perfect days
Top spot with own gear: Woodpecker - 245 good days, 112 perfect days
Quality pick: Fox River - 214 good days, 133 perfect days (highest perfect day count!)
Surf Fevah has a perfect β 5.0 rating from 90 reviews.
Nelson
The verdict: Quiet, sheltered, rewards patience.
Nelson doesn't usually get shouted about in surf conversations, and honestly⦠that's part of the charm. It's a smaller region, more sheltered than most, and it rewards patience and timing.
Top spot: Tahunanui Beach - 158 good days, 46 perfect days
No surf schools in the region, so Nelson works best if you already have some basics or bring your own gear.
The Bottom Line
New Zealand is a beginner's paradise if you know where to look. Here are the highlights:
Most consistent regions for beginners:
- Dunedin (Campbells Bay) - 288 good days
- Christchurch (Leithfield Beach) - 276 good days
- Hawke's Bay (Aropaoanui) - 258 good days
- Kaikoura (Mangamaunu) - 256 good days
- West Coast (Woodpecker) - 245 good days
Best for lessons and convenience:
- Bay of Plenty - Multiple 5-star schools, 200+ days
- Raglan - Legendary learner spot, world-class instruction
- Gisborne - Sunny, consistent, great surf culture
- Taranaki - Mountain views, reliable waves
The only way you miss out is if you're not paying attention.
Different spots suit different levels. Check what's working for your ability, and go. But if you want to stop guessing and start surfing more, that's literally what we built Swellify for.
Thanks for reading! Now get out there and catch some waves. π€
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Tobias is the Founder of Swellify, a surf forecasting app built in Wellington that helps surfers like you catch more waves with way less hassle. After "accidentally" moving to New Zealand in 2019 and falling in love with Aotearoa, he's spent years obsessively studying every beach, point break, and island to make sure Swellify's 420+ spots are dialed in. Got any feedback or a killer session to share? Flick him an email at tobias@swellify.app.