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  The
TARANAKI SURF
If you are an experienced surfer looking for a variety of different breaks
to clock up then you have come to the right place. The curve of Cape Egmont
provides numerous options that break in different conditions and all are
accessible from Surf Highway 45.
When the swell is large - perhaps too large for the 'Coast', then the
beaches of New Plymouth come into their own. There is the hometown beach
break of Fitzroy that gives you good sand bottom barrels. Most of the
action takes place off the deck of the New Plymouth Surfriders Clubhouse.
Giving something for the boys splutter into their beers over. (Worth checking
in to this fine establishment on a Friday evening. All the good lies are
told here).
These are just some of the options. There are more than 30 separate point
breaks around the Cape.
Make friends with the locals to fully explore the potential of this region.
1. Awakino Beach is located in North Taranaki on State Highway 3, 98
kilometres North of New Plymouth. The beach is black iron sand with a
scattering of shells over its foreshore. This is the first glimpse of
the Tasman Sea when you emerge from the Awakino gorge. Hearts start racing
in anticipation from here as this is the indication of what swell is hitting
the Taranaki Coast. This area responds best to a small swell. The Awakino
Rivermouth is a river bar break. It changes frequently and fires when
on. Access is down at the mouth - you'll figure it. The left over the
river is worth the paddle and stroll. Awakino Rivermouth The beach can
have good bars and is best in small swells on any tide. Offshore in a
easterly wind
2. Mokau is 5kms south. Make you way down to the beach through the township.
Works in the same conditions as Awakino. St Peters is the best Beach Break
here. Named after the church on the hill. You are surfing on the North
side of the Mokau river.
3 - 5. Waitara Beach is located 14 kilometres north from central city
New Plymouth and the beach itself is two kilometres from State Highway
3 through the township.The beach is two kilometres in length and curves
out of sight to the southwest. There is a large grass reserve on access
to the beach. On this reserve there are toilets, a playground, a shop.
There is a motor camp located just off the reserve. At the northeast end
there is the mouth of the Waitara River. The rivermouth is large and there
are two moles extending out over the beach directing the water flow. The
Waitara Bar Boardriders Club have their clubhouse down at the mouth of
the river - North side.
The Waitara club is the oldest of the local clubhouses and it's origins
go back to the 60's. The beach at Waitara has grey sand with various sized
rocks scattered over it's foreshore. There is also a great deal of driftwood
over the beach. Surfing at the beach break at Waitara is not that good
and is not frequently surfed. However the Waitara Bar is located in the
mouth of the Waitara River and this is considered a good wave. It changes
between floods and the shingle banks are constantly moving around. But
get it on and you are in for a treat. At the south end of the beach is
Spot X. A left-hand point break. Used a lot by wind and kite surfers as
well and a pretty good wave. Surfers should be aware that some locals
in this area are not that tolerant of strangers surfing their waves, so
respect will go a long way. Offshore in S/West to East. Needs plenty of
swell.
6 - 8. Bell Block is located five kilometres from central city New Plymouth
and two kilometres from State Highway 3. Bell Block Beach is 250 metres
in length and is a combination of shingle, gravel, rocks and iron sand.
There is a small stream that runs out across the southwest end of the
beach and a reef 500 metres offshore. The beach has a good sized car park
that can accommodate around 100 cars. Behind the beach is a small grassy
reserve with shade and BBQ tables and further behind this lies residential
housing. Although the beach is mainly rocks and gravel, a small sandy
section is exposed to the northeast end from mid to low tide. The inner
beach break at Bell Block is not a very good wave. Local surfers and body
boarders do surf there when learning but will generally start traveling
to other waves once they have the basics. Bell Block Reef also provides
good waves in the right conditions. The reef is very shallow and dangerous
and is not advised to inexperienced surfers. It lies about 250 metres
offshore.The reef has good waves during a southwest wind. A walk south
along the beach can reveal some interesting options.
9 - 16 Town breaks. Waiwakaiho River Mouth and the Groyne are a classic
example of what a good river bar break should look like. Takes any size
swell and is the townies favourite. And those lucky enough to get it on.
Commonsense and basic navigational skills will get you there. Better at
half to full tide. Lefts and rights off a classic A-frame peak. The city's
recent Coastal Walkway links Waiwakaiho to the harbour. Fitzroy Beach
is located three kilometres north of New Plymouth. Fitzroy is a residential
area and shopping suburb of New Plymouth and there is a great deal of
housing on and around the beach making it one of the more popular local
beaches. Fitzroy Beach is also home to New Plymouth Surfriders Club. The
beach is iron sand with a scattering of rocks over the beach with larger
bolder outcrops a few hundred metres either side of the Surf Life Saving
Club. Behind the beach is a recreational reserve with a children's pool,
playground, picnic area and shelters. The northern end of the beach also
has a motor camp and around one kilometre to the north is the Waiwakaiho
Rivermouth. Surfing at Fitzroy Beach is very popular and surfers would
make up the majority of beach users. The beach gets larger, heavier swells
during the winter months and regular smaller clean swells during summer.
Fitzroy is a beach break and is best surfed on mid to high tide although
it can be surfed on any tide. The beach is well known for having good
barrels East End Beach is located on the same stretch of beach and around
1/2 km south toward the city. The beach has recently been stabilised by
the city council with a rock wall that runs several hundred metres along
the beach preventing further eroding and forms part of the Coastal Walkway.
In behind East End Beach is a large grass reserve with a playground, park,
skateboard ramp, putt putt and a large sheltered area suitable for picnicking.
East End Beach regularly gets surfed every time there are good waves.
End is a beach break that faces to the northwest and is offshore in southeast
winds. The beach breaks at its best on mid to high tide, but can be surfed
on any tide. Usually a foot smaller than Fitzroy. At the southern end
of this stretch of beach is Boulters Bay. Often referred to as Boulders
Bay and that is more apt. It is a left-hand Point Break and not often
surfed. A lot better than it looks and is more suited to longboards. Can
be surfed through all tides but needs a good sized swell to work. The
sea breeze does not overly affect the bay at high tide where re-form right-handers
peel into the small sandy beach. Bog Works. This is the next break along
toward the centre of town. it is a bombora. Breaks best at low tide and
in a big swell. Not for the faint-hearted. A 250 M paddle out and tricky
to line up. The right is the pick of it, but if you are a goofy then you'll
get all the waves you want. Light South/easters are best. Belt Road. This
spot is the last to look at when everything else is too big. Even then
guys look hard at it before committing. It is a Point Break and right
adjacent to the harbour. There's 2 options here. The left-hander, the
main break and a right across the bay. Best on half to high tide. Even
the dreaded Westerly doesn't affect it too much. Back Beach is located
four kilometres from the central business District of New Plymouth, just
over the back of the Port. The beach faces directly west and like most
of Taranaki's beaches, is made up of iron sand and scattered with rocks
and boulders. There are two parking areas, the upper car park elevated
around 20 metres above the beach (a good view of the whole beach, rips,
currents, etc can be gained from here) and the lower car park that gives
beach users more direct access to the beach. The area directly around
the beach is a combination of residential and industrial zones mainly
due to the beach's close locality to the port. The bars change here frequently
and the beach needs to be checked regularly to get the best waves. The
beach can be surfed on all tides but is usually best from mid to high
tide. Back Beach is offshore in an easterly wind. Surfers at this beach
are wise to be careful of the wave size as it can be quite deceptive.
It has heaps of grunt and is usually a couple of feet bigger than Fitzroy.
It has a history of a few car break-ins. Take care.
17. Oakura Beach is located 12 kilometres southwest of New Plymouth.
There are two entry points to the beach, both off State Highway 45 which
runs through the Oakura township. Tasman Parade joins with Messenger Terrace
and runs the length of Oakura Beach. There are many beach front properties
at Oakura Beach as well as a network of other residential housing. Oakura
Beach is only a beach break but it is often very good at one or two banks.
Many locals of all ages surf and it is uncommon to see the beach with
a wave and no surfers. It is home to the Oakura Boardriders Club and the
World Famous Biggest Surfboard. Butlers Reef is the local watering hole,
not a break. Oakura is best surfed in a south to southeast wind.
18. Ahu Ahu Road is located six kilometres drive west of Oakura Beach
but only around two kilometres walk along the beach. There are two main
wave breaks at the beach. Firstly the gentle left hander off the southwest
end which is suitable for learners. Secondly there is a right hander off
the northeast end, that is very fast, heavy and hollow. The right hander
breaks in shallow water very close to rocks and is only recommended for
experienced wave riders. Even then a lot of damage has been caused. Both
waves work best at low tide and in a large southerly swell (offshore in
a southerly wind). The Ahu Ahu Villas are a cool overnight stay.
19. Weld Road Beach is visible from Ahu's and the two are divided by a
rocky spit. The beach has a small sandy section of 50 metres with large
rocky outcrops to the east and west. There is at least 50 metres of sand
regardless of whether the tide is high or low. There is also a large grassy
picnic area and car parks and a free camp site at Weld Road during the
summer months. There is a creek mouth between the car park and the main
beach area at Weld Road. The area of beach in front on the car park is
iron sand although at low tide, a shingle low tide terrace appears. There
are rocky outcrops to the north, centre and southern end of the beach.
At high tide the bay at (Whispering) Weld Road starts to get better. A
great longboard spot and will work in Westerlies and often sought as a
refuge spot when one feels the need to get wet.
20 - 25 Okato Coast. This is where it starts to get good. Not all the
spots are covered here. Most of Surf Highway 45 has surfable breaks and
there is plenty of uncrowded surf waiting for those who follow their noses
and don't mind a bit of a hike. Kumara Patch Access to this surf beach
has changed recently. Access is now gained only on foot and takes 20 minutes
along the beach. Turn down the road where the quaint Stoney River Hotel
sits beside the main Surf Hwy 45. 2 kms south of the Okato township. Park
at the end and walk down the track to the beach. To your left is the 'Patch'.
It is best in South west swells and winds from the south to south east.
The walk in thins the crowd factor and can make the effort well worth
it. Rocky Rights and Rocky Left is only a few kilometres south of Okato
on Paora Road. This turns into a gravel road. At the hard right bend in
the road is where you can park to access Rocky Rights Walk across a paddock
to the headland. Rocky Right works preferably on high tide, a north east
wind and west swell 1 to 4 metres fast right into the bay. 100 M further
down the track is Rocky Left. This works on south east winds, low tide
and at a 1 to 3 metre west swell producing fast left hand barrels breaking
over its shallow reef. Big rocks - El Fredo- give this spot it's name.
Graveyards is 100 M north and visible from Rocky Lefts and is worth the
paddle. It helps spread the crew out. Another good workable left hander.
Same winds Stent Road . This is the jewel in the crown on the coast. It
is not signposted - every sign has been souvenired. It is approximately
half a kilometre south of Warea on Surf Highway 45. It has an excellent
right hand wave breaking over a shallow reef along a rocky out crop point.
It picks up swells from the west, south west and north west, working on
all tides. There are about 5 individual spots in this vicinity. So if
the main break is crowded, as it invariably will be, then a bit of lateral
thinking will get you out in less crowded conditions. Off shore winds
are north east which predominately blow through summer and autumn.
26 - 28. The Opunake Coast is where it gets real interesting. There are
heaps of spots between Stent Road and the first break described. Seek
and ye shall find. Winds from the East to North are best for this part
of the coast. Kina Road. As marked. Park your car and poke your head over
the sand dune track and look left then right. Well used by windsurfers
too. Well over mast-high waves hit this spot. There's a break straight
out in front. A right hander and then 400 metres to the left is a good
left that breaks into a bay. The walk sorts out the crowd. Arawhata Road.
As marked. At the end of the road you can open the gate and follow the
track to the top of the cliff. A right breaking out on the point to your
right. A left and right breaking in the middle of the bay and a right
a bit further toward Opunake Township. There is a track leading down to
the rocky foreshore at the left hand side of the parking. Leave all gates
as you find them and stay to the tracks already formed. A surfer-friendly
farmer. Opunake Beach is located right in the Opunake township. Opunake
Beach is a small bay and the beach is 500 metres long. There are long
cliff headlands to each end of the bay. These cliffs extend around the
back of the bay with a large reserve behind the beach before the cliffs.
The beach is golden sand and has a very large low tide terrace. Surfing
can be quite good at Opunake Beach. The main bar at the northern end of
the beach often provides good waves (generally right handers). Opunake
Beach is best surfed at high tide and is offshore in a northeast wind.There
are also many good point breaks in the nearby area. Dumps is around the
left hand headland of the main beach. Limited parking on top of the cliff
will reveal the coast to the south. Directly underneath is the area called
Dumps. Best on the lower tide. Across the bay you will look into a left
hander called Sky Williams. Mangahume is the A-frame just beyond that.
It is a left and right peak and handles big waves 1 to 5 metres on all
tides. Access varies. Sometimes closed and that means a paddle across
the bay or a walk in from the road. Works on north easterly winds and
is a very challenging wave. Greenmeadows lies 3 kms south on a headland
with access across farm land. Not easy to find. A clue may be other surfers
cars parked on the highway. This is a right-hand point break and will
work in anything from a N/East to N/West wind. The beach breaks along
the beach can offer a different option.
And there are still yet more breaks in the region. Get friendly with a
local and you may uncover some of their secrets. Hawera the next town
down the coast is where Surf Highway 45 ends. There are breaks around
this neck of the woods. We shall leave them for you to discover. Patea
is the end of the Taranaki region. Once again - seek and ye shall find.
The locals have the Patea Boardriders Club down at the river mouth. Make
friends here and you may unlock a few secrets. Respect goes a long way.
As most of the surf breaks are located over private land, common courtesy
will work wonders. There are a few toilets at the more popular breaks.
Weld Road, Rocky Point and Stent Road. Take your own paper. And take your
own rubbish home with you. The local surfers have spent countless hours
getting things right with the authorities but it doesn't include a rubbish
collection. If you do cross farm land, leave all the gates as you find
them. Nothing upsets a farmer more than finding a rogue bull in with the
young girls.
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