Best Beginner Surf Spots in East Cape (2026 Guide)
Opotiki had beginner-friendly surf 196 days last year. Here's where to learn on New Zealand's remote and stunning East Cape.
Are you a beginner surfer looking for waves in East Cape? The East Cape is one of New Zealand's most remote and spectacular 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.
As a beginner surfer, mellow, small to medium-size waves are best for practicing and improving. Today we’ll be ranking these East Cape 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 22 breaks around East Cape. 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
Here's the thing about East Cape: there are no surf schools with lessons right nearby. The closest option is Salt Spray Surf School which is based in Ohope, about 25 minutes drive from the best beginner spot at Opotiki.
Salt Spray has a perfect ★5.0 rating (86 reviews) and offers beginner lessons, group lessons, private lessons, and rentals. Give them a call at 📞 021 149 1972 and tell them Swellify sent you!
If you're set on learning in the East Cape region, your best bet is to contact Salt Spray and arrange lessons, then head to Opotiki where the waves are most consistent for beginners.
If You Need Rentals (But Not Lessons)
Already know the basics but need a board or wettie? You've got one solid option.
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Opotiki — 196 good days, 68 perfect days
Opotiki is by far the most consistent beginner spot on the East Cape. Again, Salt Spray Surf School is about 25 minutes drive away in Ohope and does rentals. With 196 good days, that's more than half the year with surfable conditions. Not bad at all!
You can call Salt Spray at 📞 021 149 1972 to sort out a rental. Don't forget to let them know Swellify sent you 🙏🏻
If You Have Your Own Gear
Got your own board and wettie? Now we're talking! The East Cape opens right up for you.
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Opotiki — 196 good days, 68 perfect days
The gateway to the East Cape and the most consistent beginner spot in the region. Nearly 200 good days is exceptional.
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Tokata — 148 good days, 64 perfect days
Out near the Cape itself. Fewer good days than Opotiki, but a solid perfect day count. No services out here, so come prepared.
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Waihu Bay — 144 good days, 56 perfect days
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Hicks Bay — 142 good days, 60 perfect days
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Horseshoe Bay — 138 good days, 65 perfect days
Horseshoe Bay is interesting. It has the fewest good days on this list, but the highest perfect day count at 65. When it's on here, it's really on.
The spots around Hicks Bay and Tokata are seriously remote. We're talking about one of the least populated parts of New Zealand. If you're after uncrowded waves and don't mind the adventure, this is your playground.
The Bottom Line
East Cape delivered 196 surfable days for beginners at Opotiki last year. The only way you miss out is if you're not paying attention.
Need lessons? Contact Salt Spray Surf School in Ohope (26 min drive from Opotiki). They've got a perfect 5.0 rating and can sort you out.
Need rentals? Same deal. Salt Spray does rentals, and Opotiki is your spot with 196 good days.
Have your own gear? The whole East Cape is yours. Opotiki is the most consistent, but the remote bays around Hicks Bay and Tokata offer uncrowded waves and serious adventure vibes.
The East Cape is not the most convenient place to learn to surf in New Zealand. But if you're after empty lineups, stunning scenery, and a proper adventure, it's hard to beat. Just make sure you've got fuel in the tank and supplies sorted before you head out there.
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! 🤙
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Want more infrastructure? Gisborne has multiple surf schools and similar consistency. Or loop around to Bay of Plenty for the highest concentration of lessons in NZ.
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.