Best Beginner Surf Spots in Coromandel (2026 Guide)
Pauanui had beginner-friendly surf 219 days last year, with a surf school just 5 minutes drive away. Here's where to learn on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula.
Are you a beginner surfer looking for waves in Coromandel? 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 in New Zealand.
As a beginner surfer, mellow, small to medium-size waves are best for practicing and improving. Today weβll be ranking these Coromandel surf spots based on:
- How many days each spot had 3+ hours of βgoodβ 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 22 breaks around Coromandel. We wanted to find the beaches that gave you the most genuine opportunities to practice and improve.
Letβs crack into it!
If You Need Lessons
The Coromandel has excellent surf school coverage, with options at Pauanui, Whangamata, and Hot Water Beach.
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Pauanui (Beach) β 219 good days, 78 perfect days
Pauanui is pumping out serious numbers for beginners. Wave Ryders Surf School Pauanui is just a 5 minute drive away and offers beginner lessons, group lessons, and private lessons. They've got a β 5.0 rating (1 review). Give them a call at π 022 198 1951 and tell them Swellify sent you!
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Whangamata Beach β 206 good days, 67 perfect days
Whangamata is a legendary Kiwi surf town, and the beach break is perfect for beginners. You're spoiled for choice with surf schools here.
Whangamata Surf Lessons by Surf N Stay is right on the beach with a β 5.0 rating (5 reviews). They do lessons and rentals. Call them at π 021 217 1201.
WhangamatΔ Surf School is also right there with a β 4.8 rating (33 reviews). Reach them at π 021 156 4591. Mention Swellify when you book!
Surfsup New Zealand is also right there with a β 4.9 rating (58 reviews) and does lessons plus rentals. Call π 021 217 1201.
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Hot Water Beach β 202 good days, 89 perfect days
Famous for its geothermal hot pools, Hot Water Beach is also a cracking beginner spot. Fewer good days than Pauanui or Whangamata, but check this out: 89 perfect days. That's the highest perfect day count on the list. When it's on here, it's really on.
Te Puia Surf Co is just a 3 minute drive away with a perfect β 5.0 rating (8 reviews). They do lessons and rentals. Call them at π 022 198 1951. Don't forget to let them know Swellify sent you ππ»
If You Need Rentals (But Not Lessons)
Already know the basics but need a board or wettie? Now an even more consistent spot opens up.
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Pauanui (Left) β 223 good days, 78 perfect days
This is actually the most consistent beginner spot on the entire Coromandel. The catch? No lessons right nearby. But Te Puia Surf Co is about 30 minutes drive away and does rentals with a perfect β 5.0 rating. Or head to Whangamata (about 37 minutes drive) where Whangamata Surf Shop has rentals with a β 4.7 rating (42 reviews). Call them at π 07 865 8252.
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Pauanui (Beach) β 219 good days, 78 perfect days
Whangamata Surf Shop is about 35 minutes drive away for rentals.
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Whangamata Beach β 206 good days, 67 perfect days
Rentals right on the beach from multiple providers. WhangamatΔ Surf School and Surfsup New Zealand both do rentals within a minute's walk.
If You Have Your Own Gear
Got your own board and wettie? Now we're talking! Here are the most consistent beginner-friendly spots on the Coromandel.
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Pauanui (Left) β 223 good days, 78 perfect days
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Pauanui (Beach) β 219 good days, 78 perfect days
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Whangamata Beach β 206 good days, 67 perfect days
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Hot Water Beach β 202 good days, 89 perfect days
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Opoutere β 201 good days, 70 perfect days
Pauanui dominates. The top two spots are both at Pauanui, delivering 219+ good days for beginners.
Hot Water Beach is worth a special mention. It has fewer good days than the others, but 89 perfect days is exceptional. If you're chasing quality over quantity, keep an eye on Hotwater.
Opoutere is a quieter alternative with 201 good days. Whangamata Surf Shop is about 20 minutes drive away if you need anything.
The Bottom Line
Coromandel delivered 223 surfable days for beginners at Pauanui (Left) last year. The only way you miss out is if you're not paying attention.
Need lessons? Head to Pauanui (Beach) or Whangamata Beach. Both have surf schools on site and over 200 good days each.
Need rentals? Pauanui (Left) is the most consistent spot. Grab a board from Te Puia Surf Co or Whangamata Surf Shop.
Have your own gear? Same deal. Pauanui is your spot.
The Coromandel's east-facing beaches pick up consistent Pacific swells, and the combination of warm water (by NZ standards), beautiful scenery, and multiple surf towns makes it one of the best regions to learn in the country. Plan a road trip, hit multiple spots, and make a proper adventure of it.
Remember, different surf spots suit different levels. If you want to stop guessing and start surfing more, that's literally what we built Swellify for. Thanks for reading! π€
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Continuing your trip? Bay of Plenty is just south with the highest concentration of surf schools in NZ, or loop back through Auckland's East Coast for sheltered options closer to the city.
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.