Best Beginner Surf Spots in Gisborne (2026 Guide)
Wainui had beginner-friendly surf 206 days last year, with multiple surf schools just minutes away. Here's where to learn in sunny Gizzy.
Are you a beginner surfer looking for waves in Gisborne? Gizzy 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 (for good reason).
As a beginner surfer, mellow, small to medium-size waves are best for practicing and improving. Today we’ll be ranking these Gizzy 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 19 breaks around Gizzy. 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 or Rentals
Gisborne has excellent surf school coverage, with multiple options all within a short drive of the best beginner spots:
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Wainui - Schools 🥇 206 good days, 87 perfect days
The name says it all. This is where the surf schools bring their students, and for good reason. 206 good days is exceptional, and 87 perfect days means you've got a great chance of scoring ideal learning conditions.
Blitz Surf Shop is just 5 minutes drive away with a ★4.9 rating (51 reviews). They do lessons and rentals. Give them a call at 📞 06 868 4428 and tell them Swellify sent you!
Surfing with Sarah is about 10 minutes drive away with a perfect ★5.0 rating (28 reviews). She offers beginner lessons, group lessons, private lessons, and rentals. Reach her at 📞 022 073 9383. Mention Swellify when you book!
New Wave NZ Surfboards is also about 10 minutes drive away, also with a perfect ★5.0 rating (75 reviews). They do lessons and rentals too. Call 📞 0210 732 076.
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Wainui - Stock Route 🥈 206 good days, 87 perfect days
Right next to Wainui Schools with identical stats. Same surf schools serve this spot, with Blitz Surf Shop the closest at just 5 minutes drive. Don't forget to let them know Swellify sent you 🙏🏻
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North Makorori 🥉 205 good days, 86 perfect days
Just north of Wainui with almost identical numbers. Blitz Surf Shop is about 14 minutes drive away, and the other schools are around 17 minutes.
If You Have Your Own Gear
Got your own board and wettie? Now we're talking! The rankings stay the same, but here's the full picture.
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Wainui - Schools — 206 good days, 87 perfect days
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Wainui - Stock Route — 206 good days, 87 perfect days
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North Makorori — 205 good days, 86 perfect days
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Wainui - Pines — 198 good days, 89 perfect days
Interesting one here. Fewer good days than the top spots, but the highest perfect day count at 89. When it's on at The Pines, it's really on.
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Centres — 197 good days, 90 perfect days
Another spot where quality edges out quantity. 90 perfect days is the highest on this list. If you're chasing ideal conditions, keep an eye on Centres.
The Wainui Beach stretch dominates for beginners, with three different peaks (Schools, Stock Route, and Pines) all delivering 198+ good days. You can check conditions and pick your spot on the day.
The Bottom Line
Gisborne delivered 206 surfable days for beginners at Wainui last year. The only way you miss out is if you're not paying attention.
Need lessons? Head to Wainui - Schools. Multiple surf schools are just minutes away, all with excellent ratings.
Need rentals? Same deal. Blitz Surf Shop, Surfing with Sarah, and New Wave NZ all do rentals within 10 minutes of Wainui.
Have your own gear? Wainui is still your best bet for consistency. But if you're chasing perfect conditions, keep an eye on Centres with its 90 perfect days.
Gisborne is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand, and the surf scene here is mint. The combination of consistent waves, warm weather, and multiple surf schools makes it one of the best places to learn in the country.
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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Exploring the east coast? Mahia Peninsula is just south with uncrowded waves, or continue to Hawke's Bay — Aropaoanui's 258 good days is one of the best-kept secrets in NZ. North takes you to the remote East Cape.
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.