Best Beginner Surf Spots on Northland's East Coast (2026 Guide)
Tākou Bay had beginner-friendly surf 207 days last year. Here's your complete guide to the sheltered east side.
Are you a beginner surfer looking for waves on Northland's East Coast? The East Coast tends to be more sheltered than the wild West Coast, making it generally more beginner-friendly when conditions line up. Plus, the natural beauty of the east side, with stunning bays, clear water, and lush coastline makes every session feel special.
As a beginner surfer, mellow, small to medium-size waves are best for practicing and improving. Today we’ll be ranking these Northland East 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 42 breaks around Northland East 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
- Sandy Bay 🥇 185 good days, 64 perfect days
- Taupo Bay 🥈 183 good days, 59 perfect days
- Forestry 🥉 182 good days, 45 perfect days
Sandy Bay is perfect for beginners needing instruction. It's consistent and beginner-friendly, and NZ Surf Academy runs lessons right at this spot! They offer beginner lessons, group lessons, and private lessons. 📞 027 734 4877. Mention Swellify when you book!
If you want more options, Tutukaka Surf Northland NZ is only about a 15 minute drive away with an impressive 4.9 rating from 59 reviews. 📞 09 434 4135. Let them know Swellify sent you!
Taupo Bay is another excellent option with NZ Surf Academy with lessons right there.
Forestry rounds out the top three with Aotearoa Surf School & Board Hire only a 9 minute drive away. They have an incredible 4.9 rating from 934 reviews, major aura points. 📞 09 431 5760. Let them know Swellify sent you 🙏🏻
If You Need Rentals (But Not Lessons)
If you know the basics but need gear:
- Sandy Bay 🥇 185 good days, 64 perfect days
- Forestry 🥈 182 good days, 45 perfect days
- Moureeses 🥉 193 good days, 62 perfect days
Sandy Bay has Tutukaka Surf Northland NZ just a 13 minute drive away with rentals and that stellar 4.9 rating. 📞 09 434 4135. Let them know Swellify sent you!
Forestry has multiple rental options nearby:
- Aotearoa Surf School & Board Hire - 9 minute drive, 4.9 rating from 934 reviews. 📞 09 431 5760
- Aotearoa Surf Lodge - 23 minute drive, perfect 5.0 rating from 62 reviews. 📞 09 431 1154
- Mangawhai Heads Surf School - 28 minute drive, 5.0 rating. 📞 09 431 0001
Moureeses has Tutukaka Surf about 50 minutes away by car. Be sure to mention Swellify when you get in touch.
If You Have Your Own Gear
Here's where it gets interesting. The MOST consistent beginner spots on the East Coast don't have lessons or rentals nearby—but if you've got your own board and wetsuit, these are the top spots:
- Tākou Bay - 207 good days, 81 perfect days
- Oakura Bay - 203 good days, 83 perfect days (most perfect days!)
- Okupe Beach - 193 good days, 66 perfect days
- Moureeses - 193 good days, 62 perfect days
- Bland Bay - 191 good days, 70 perfect days
Tākou Bay and Oakura Bay are the kings of consistency on the East Coast with 200+ surfable days each. If you're self-sufficient with gear, these spots deliver way more opportunities than the ones closer to surf schools.
The Bottom Line
Northland's East Coast delivered 180+ 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? Sandy Bay, Taupo Bay, and Forestry all have quality instruction within minutes. Aotearoa Surf School's 934 reviews speak for themselves.
Need rentals? Sandy Bay and Forestry have excellent options nearby, with Tutukaka Surf earning consistent 4.9 ratings.
Have your own gear? Tākou Bay (207 days) and Oakura Bay (203 days) are the most consistent beginner-friendly spots on the entire East Coast—but you'll need to be self-sufficient.
The East Coast is more sheltered than the West, which means it's generally more forgiving for beginners. You'll find beautiful bays, clearer water, and consistent conditions perfect for building your skills.
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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Want to compare coasts? Northland's West Coast at Ahipara is similarly consistent. Heading south? The Coromandel continues the beautiful east coast vibe.
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.