Best Beginner Surf Spots on Auckland's West Coast (2026 Guide)
Karioitahi had beginner-friendly surf 81 days last year. Here's where to find learner waves with lessons nearby.
Are you a beginner surfer looking for waves on Auckland's West Coast? 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.
As a beginner surfer, mellow, small to medium-size waves are best for practicing and improving. Today we’ll be ranking these Auckland West Coast surf spots based on:
- How many days each spot had 3+ hours of “good” surf for beginners in 2025
- How many days each spot had 3+ hours of perfect surf (ideal wave size and winds) for beginners in 2025
These rankings are based on real data: an entire year of Swellify surf data from 13 breaks around Auckland West Coast. We wanted to find the beaches that gave you the most genuine opportunities to practice and improve.
Let’s crack into it!
If You Need Lessons
- Karioitahi - 81 good days, 34 perfect days
- Whites - 59 good days, 24 perfect days
Karioitahi leads with 81 good days and 34 perfect days. Multiple surf schools serve this area:
- Piha Surf School offers beginner lessons with a perfect 5.0 rating from 209 reviews! Call: 📞 027 581 2812
- Lion Rock Surf Shop offers lessons and rentals. 4.8 rating from 23 reviews. 📞 09 812 8433
- Piha Surf Academy also offers beginner lessons. 4.5 rating from 32 reviews. 📞 09 217 1082
Mention Swellify when you get in touch!
Whites had 59 good days with 24 perfect days. It's just a 5 minute drive from Lion Rock Surf Shop (4.8 rating) and about 8 minutes from Piha Surf School (perfect 5.0 rating from 209 reviews). Both offer beginner lessons.
If You Need Rentals (But Not Lessons)
If you know the basics but need gear:
- Karioitahi - 81 good days, 34 perfect days
- Muriwai Rimmers - 75 good days, 26 perfect days
- Whites - 59 good days, 24 perfect days
Karioitahi has Lion Rock Surf Shop and Piha Surf Shop and Camping (4.7 rating from 30 reviews) for rentals. Let them know Swellify sent you!
Muriwai Rimmers has Muriwai Surf School about 35 minutes away by car with rentals and an incredible perfect 5.0 rating from 467 reviews. 📞 021 478 734. Be sure to mention Swellify when you book!
Whites has rental options from Lion Rock and Piha Surf Shop just minutes away.
If You Have Your Own Gear
Here's where it gets interesting. The MOST consistent beginner spot on Auckland's West Coast doesn't have lessons or rentals nearby—but if you've got your own board and wetsuit, this is the top spot:
- Sunset Beach - 192 good days, 75 perfect days
- Karioitahi - 81 good days, 34 perfect days
- Muriwai Rimmers - 75 good days, 26 perfect days
- Whites - 59 good days, 24 perfect days
- Anawhata - 55 good days, 22 perfect days
Sunset Beach absolutely dominates with 192 good days and 75 perfect days—more than double any other beginner-suitable spot on the West Coast. If you're self-sufficient with gear, this is where the consistency is.
The Bottom Line
Auckland's West Coast delivered 80+ surfable days for beginners at the top spots last year. The only way you miss out is if you're not paying attention.
Need lessons? Karioitahi and Whites both have quality instruction nearby, with Piha Surf School's 209 reviews speaking for themselves.
Need rentals? Karioitahi, Muriwai Rimmers, and Whites all have solid rental options, with Muriwai Surf School earning that perfect 5.0 rating.
Have your own gear? Sunset Beach (192 days!) is the most consistent beginner-friendly spot on the entire West Coast—but you'll need to be self-sufficient.
The West Coast is powerful and raw, which means beginner-suitable conditions are less frequent than sheltered east-facing beaches. But when it's good for learners, you'll find quality waves and fewer crowds than the more popular spots.
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! 🤙
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Prefer something mellower? Auckland's East Coast is more sheltered — fewer surfable days, but gentler when it's on. Or head north to Northland's West Coast for Ahipara's 197 good days.
See all 20 regions in our Complete Beginner's Guide to Surfing in New Zealand.
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.