Beginner Surf Spots in Hawke's Bay (2026 Guide)
Aropaoanui had beginner-friendly surf 258 days last year. Here's where to surf in the sunny Hawke's Bay region.
Are you a beginner surfer looking for waves in Hawke's Bay? Hawke's Bay is famous for its wine, art deco architecture, and sunshine. But it's also got a surprisingly consistent coastline for surfing. The east-facing beaches pick up swells from the Pacific, and there are some serious hidden gems here for beginners.
As a beginner surfer, mellow, small to medium-size waves are best for practicing and improving. Today we’ll be ranking these Hawke's Bay 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 16 breaks around Hawke's Bay. 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
Hawke's Bay has limited surf school coverage, with just one option in the region.
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Waimarama — 162 good days, 45 perfect days
This is the only beginner spot with lessons nearby. Hawke's Bay Surf School is just 3 minutes drive away with a ★5.0 rating (2 reviews). Give them a call at 📞 027 787 3787 and tell them Swellify sent you!
Here's the catch: Hawke's Bay Surf School does lessons but not rentals. So if you need a board after your lesson, you'll need to sort that separately.
If You Need Rentals
Unfortunately, there are no rental providers in the Hawke's Bay region according to my knowledge. If you need to rent a board or wettie, your best bet is to contact Hawke's Bay Surf School to see if they can help, or arrange rentals from Gisborne (check out our Gisborne beginner guide) before you head down.
If You Have Your Own Gear
Got your own board and wettie? Now we're talking! This is where Hawke's Bay really shines.
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Aropaoanui — 258 good days, 102 perfect days
This is incredible. 258 good days means beginner-friendly surf more than 70% of the year. And 102 perfect days? That's the highest we've seen in any region. Aropaoanui is a hidden gem, tucked away north of Napier. No lessons or rentals nearby, but if you've got your own gear, this is one of the most consistent beginner spots in the entire country.
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Waihua — 208 good days, 92 perfect days
Another cracker. Over 200 good days and 92 perfect days. Waihua is up near the northern end of Hawke's Bay, closer to the Mahia Peninsula.
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Waipatiki — 198 good days, 63 perfect days
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Ocean Beach — 196 good days, 77 perfect days
Ocean Beach is closer to Napier and Hastings, making it more accessible. Hawke's Bay Surf School is about 22 minutes drive away if you want to combine a lesson with a surf here.
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Waimarama — 162 good days, 45 perfect days
The only spot with lessons nearby, but actually the least consistent of the top five for own-gear surfers.
The numbers here are remarkable. Aropaoanui's 258 good days and 102 perfect days put it among the most consistent beginner spots in New Zealand. The trade-off is accessibility and lack of services, but if you're willing to make the trip with your own gear, the rewards are huge.
The Bottom Line
Hawke's Bay delivered 258 surfable days for beginners at Aropaoanui last year. The only way you miss out is if you're not paying attention.
Need lessons? Waimarama is your only option, with Hawke's Bay Surf School just 3 minutes away. It's not the most consistent spot, but it's where the lessons are.
Need rentals? This is tricky. No rental providers in the region. Contact Hawke's Bay Surf School or arrange rentals from Gisborne.
Have your own gear? Aropaoanui is a must-visit. 258 good days and 102 perfect days is exceptional. One of the best-kept secrets in New Zealand surfing.
Hawke's Bay is an underrated surf region. The consistency is there (especially at the northern beaches), the crowds are minimal, and the weather is some of the best in the country. The main limitation is the lack of surf schools and rental shops, so it's best suited for surfers who already have their own gear.
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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Continuing the East Coast? Mahia Peninsula is just north — uncrowded and consistent. Gisborne has the sunny surf culture, or head south to the wild Wairarapa coast.
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.