Best Time to Surf New Zealand
Every one of the 3 New Zealand breaks we map can be surfed year-round.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
Surf in New Zealand month by month
How many of the 3 breaks we map in New Zealand are at their best in each month, and which ones. The busiest months are highlighted.
January
0 at their best · 3 in season
February
0 at their best · 3 in season
March
0 at their best · 3 in season
April
0 at their best · 3 in season
May
0 at their best · 3 in season
June
0 at their best · 3 in season
July
0 at their best · 3 in season
August
0 at their best · 3 in season
September
0 at their best · 3 in season
October
0 at their best · 3 in season
November
0 at their best · 3 in season
December
0 at their best · 3 in season
Lefts, rights and peaks in New Zealand
Every break we map here, by what the wave breaks over and which way it peels — a left peels to the surfer's left as they ride towards the beach.
| Break type | Lefts | Rights | Both ways / A-frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point | Raglan | — | — |
| Beach | — | — | Piha, Mount Maunganui |
Season at every New Zealand break
Each break's stated season, with its best months filled in.
- Mount Maunganui
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- Year-round, best in autumn and winter
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars, especially on bigger swells. Busy with swimmers and surf schools in summer; keep out of the flagged swimming areas.
- Piha
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- Year-round, best in autumn and winter
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Raglan
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- Year-round, best in autumn and winter
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
Surf spots in New Zealand by level
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf New Zealand?
Every one of the 3 New Zealand breaks we map can be surfed year-round.
Can you surf New Zealand all year round?
Yes. At least one of the 3 breaks we map in New Zealand is in season in every month of the year.
Which surf breaks in New Zealand are lefts and which are rights?
Lefts: Raglan. The table below splits every break we map in New Zealand by type and direction.