Best Beginner Surf Spots in Waikato (2026 Guide)
Raglan - Wainui Beach took home top marks for beginner-friendly surf at 216 days out of last year. Here's everything you need to know.
Are you a beginner surfer looking for waves in Waikato? Raglan is legendary in New Zealand surf culture, and for good reason. The area delivers consistent, quality waves throughout the year.
As a beginner surfer, mellow, small to medium-size waves are best for practicing and improving. Today we’ll be ranking these Raglan 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 8 breaks around Raglan. We wanted to find the beaches that gave you the most genuine opportunities to practice and improve.
Let’s crack into it!
Raglan - Wainui Beach: The Beginner's Paradise
Raglan - Wainui Beach absolutely dominates the Waikato region with 216 good days and 69 perfect days in 2025. That's 59% of the year with beginner-suitable surf!
What makes Wainui Beach so special? It's the perfect beginner setup: consistent waves, forgiving conditions, and an incredible concentration of surf schools and rental shops right there on the beach.
If You Need Lessons
Wainui Beach has some of the best surf instruction in the country:
Green Wave Raglan is right at the beach with a perfect 5.0 rating from 495 reviews. That's not a typo—495 reviews, all 5 stars. Phone: 0210 841 3481. Mention Swellify when you book!
Raglan Surf School is also right there with a 4.9 rating from 312 reviews. They offer beginner lessons, group lessons, and private lessons. 📞 07 825 7327. Let them know Swellify sent you!
The Dames Raglan offers beginner, group, and private lessons with a perfect 5.0 rating from 28 reviews. 📞 022 093 8375. Be sure to mention Swellify!
All three are literally at the beach. You'll be in the water within minutes of arriving.
If You Need Rentals (But Not Lessons)
If you know the basics but need gear, Wainui Beach has you covered:
Raglan Surf School offers rentals right at the beach. 4.9 rating from 312 reviews. 📞 07 825 7327.
Raglan Longboards is just 3 minutes away by car with rentals. 4.4 rating from 14 reviews. 📞 07 825 0544.
Raglan Surf Company is about 9 minutes away with rentals and a 4.7 rating from 56 reviews. 📞 07 825 8988.
Raglan Surf Emporium is also 9 minutes away with rentals. 4.4 rating from 28 reviews. 📞 07 282 0018.
Let them know Swellify sent you!
If You Have Your Own Gear
Raglan - Wainui Beach - 216 good days, 69 perfect days
Even if you're self-sufficient, Wainui Beach is still your best bet in the Waikato region. With 216 surfable days, you've got options more than half the year. The consistency is incredible—nearly double what most spots in other regions offer beginners.
The Bottom Line
Waikato's Raglan - Wainui Beach delivered 216 surfable days for beginners last year. The only way you miss out is if you're not paying attention.
Need lessons? Green Wave Raglan's 495 perfect reviews speak for themselves. Raglan Surf School and The Dames Raglan are also exceptional choices, all right at the beach.
Need rentals? Multiple shops within 10 minutes, with Raglan Surf School right there offering gear.
Have your own gear? You're still in the right place. 216 days of consistent beginner surf makes Wainui Beach one of the most reliable learner spots in the entire country.
If you're learning to surf in the Waikato region, Raglan is where you want to be.
Remember, 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! 🤙
Want forecasts for Raglan's Wainui Beach delivered to your inbox every morning?
Swellify keeps an eye on your favourite spots and lets you know when conditions line up for your skill level — no forecast interpretation required.
Get started free →
Get the free Swellify app
Seriously, it's the easiest way to get more surf. Available on iOS and Android 📲
Making a trip of it? Bay of Plenty is 2 hours east with even more beginner-friendly days, or continue south to Taranaki for mountain views and reliable waves.
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.