Are You Ready To Surf Paradise?
MEET YOUR INSIDER'S GUIDE TO SURFING RAGLAN (WHAINGAROA)
Hi I'm Leonie and I'm originally from the Netherlands. In 2016 I decided to book a ticket to NZ to visit my friend who was living in Raglan. I instantly fell in love with this little surf town. It represented everything I always longed for: community and living in harmony with nature. Everything inside me wanted to live here. So I quit my job, sold everything I had and moved to Raglan. Now, 5.5 years later, I am a New Zealand resident, surrounded by an incredible community of women and spend most of my time in the ocean (with either my surfboard or with my camera).
I spent my first year in New Zealand working at Raglan Backpackers (hostel in town), where the local owners taught me everything there is to know about Raglan so that I could share this information with the travelers that checked into the hostel. I am really excited to pass on this information to you and introduce you to Raglan.
This ultimate Raglan Surf Guide is for you if you want to enjoy world-class surf breaks and some of the most consistent surf in the country. I will share with you where to surf, when to surf, what to wear and where to hire surfboards.
Let's Dive In!
WHEN TO SURF?
The surf in Raglan is pretty consistent all year around. There is little difference in surfable days between summer and winter. Swell consistency is a little higher in July (New Zealand Winter 82%) than December (New Zealand summer 70%). I usually find that the waves are a little bigger in winter than in summer but that being said, you still get big days in summer and small days in winter.
WHERE TO SURF?
Raglan has quite a few options for all levels. Here are the 4 famous breaks:
Ngarunui Beach
Ngarunui Beach is the main beach break and is good for surfers of all levels. If you're just learning how to surf, this is the spot for you! However, if you are intermediate/advanced, this is still a really great option. Ngarunui has good sheltered beach break featuring left and right peaks.
★ Beach Break
★ Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
★ Optimal Wind Direction: E
★ Optimal Swell Direction: SW
★ Best Tide: Mid to High
Manu Bay
Manu Bay is Raglan’s most famous surf spot. It's a long left-hander breaking over the rocks. Paddling out can be done from the point which requires a jump off the rocks or from the boat ramp which is easier and much safer. Please keep in mind that this is an intermediate/advanced only break (no beginners!).
★ Point Break
★ Intermediate / Advanced
★ Optimal Wind Direction: SE
★ Optimal Swell Direction: SW
★ Best Tide: All (On low tide it can get a bit hollow, high tide is much more mellow)
Whale Bay
Whale Bay is located between Manu and Indicators. It’s considered the mellowest of the breaks, but it’s still firmly intermediates & advanced. I would argue even more advanced than Manu Bay. Reasons? It's harder to get in and out and there's a huge rock that is positioned in the middle of the wave that can be real nasty when hidden at high tide.
★ Point Break
★ Intermediate / Advanced
★ Optimal Wind Direction: SE
★ Optimal Swell Direction: SW
★ Best Tide: Low Tide
Indicators
Indicators is the longest and fastest breaking of the three Raglan points. It features high performance sections with plenty of opportunities to get in the barrel. It is located past Whale Bay. If you decide to walk around to the takeoff areas, keep low to the rocks and avoid crossing the private land. Advanced only.
★ Point Break
★ Advanced
★ Optimal Wind Direction: SE
★ Optimal Swell Direction: SW
★ Best Tide: Low to Mid
Before getting into the water I highly recommend you check the surf forecast first.
My favourite surf forecasting apps are:
★ Surfline
★ Magic Seaweed
★ Windy
WHAT TO WEAR?
Wetsuits in Raglan are needed. It gets pretty cold, especially in winter. I'd say there are a couple of months a year where you could surf in swimwear (Jan/Feb) but the sun in New Zealand is pretty savage so a wetsuit is great way to protect your skin from the sun. As a general guide I'd say get a 4/3mm (or even 5 all) for the colder months (May to October) and a 3/2 in the summer months (November to April). I also love to wear booties when walking over the rocks at Manu Bay/Whale Bay/Indicators. And it's definitely nice to keep your feet warm in winter. To keep yourself even warmer in those cold winter months, I recommend wetsuit hoods and surfears to protects your ears from the cold (and from surfer's ear).
WHERE TO HIRE BOARDS?
Raglan has lots of options to rent surfboards/wetsuits. Here are some of my favourite places that I highly recommend:
WHERE TO BOOK
A SURF LESSON?
Whether you are:
★ New in the water and want to learn how to surf or
★ Looking to improve your surfing skills
These surf lessons are for you! Each lesson will be tailored to your level! Nina (surf coach, ISA Level 2 certified) will give you her full attention and use her knowledge in order for you to have the best time in the water. Nina will also adapt and adjust the session to your personal needs. You will be amazed by how quickly you progress.
Private 1:1 Surf Lesson with Nina
$120
Private Group Lesson (2 people)
$200
Surf Dames (Women's Weekly Group Surf)
$90
BOOK NOW
Let us know which package you would like to book and we will get back to you within 2 days!
