Best Surf Spots Within a Day's Drive of Auckland

Auckland is a surf city

A lot of visitors don't realise it, but Auckland is sandwiched between two surf coasts — the wild west (Piha, Muriwai, Bethells) and the gentler east (Omaha, Pakiri, Tāwharanui). Add a couple of hours' drive and you're at world-class breaks like Raglan and Shipwreck Bay.

Every Nomado 7 seater SUV comes with roof racks fitted free — pile in the crew, strap on the boards, and go. Soft racks are also available for our budget car and economy car on request.

1. Raglan (2 hr from Auckland) — the icon

Manu Bay is the world's longest left-hand point break, made famous by The Endless Summer. Whale Bay sits just south for a slightly more forgiving wave. Ngarunui Beach in town has lifeguards, a learner-friendly beach break and the Raglan Surf School.

• Best for: all levels (different breaks suit different abilities)
• Board hire: Raglan Surf Co, Raglan Surf School

2. Piha (45 min from Auckland) — the powerhouse

Wild black-sand beach with Lion Rock standing guard. Heavy, fast, and the rip currents are no joke — surf between the flags or take a lesson with Piha Surf School. The drive in along Piha Road is gorgeous.

• Best for: intermediate / advanced
• Watch out for: dangerous rips — always swim/surf between the flags

3. Muriwai (45 min from Auckland) — the long beach

Gentler than Piha, with a famous gannet colony at the south end. Reliable beach breaks all the way along, plus a kid-friendly inner section near the surf club.

• Best for: beginner / intermediate
• Bonus: stop at the gannet colony viewpoint

4. Bethells / Te Henga (50 min from Auckland) — the local secret

Less crowded than Piha or Muriwai, similarly powerful. Walk over the dunes to Lake Wainamu after your surf for a freshwater rinse.

5. Omaha & Pakiri (1 hr 15 min north of Auckland) — east coast cruisey

East coast = smaller, cleaner, more family friendly. Pakiri Beach stretches for kilometres of empty sand. Great for longboarding.

6. Tutukaka Coast — Sandy Bay & Shipwreck (3 hr north)

On the way to or from the Bay of Islands. Sandy Bay is one of the most consistent east-coast beach breaks in NZ. Worth the detour.

7. Shipwreck Bay, Ahipara (5 hr north) — the road trip prize

At the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach. A long, peeling left point that runs for hundreds of metres on a good swell. Combine it with a Northland road trip.

What to rent

• Solo surfer with one board: economy car with soft racks — easy.
• Couple or two mates, 2–3 boards: budget car with soft racks, or step up to a mid-size SUV for more room.
• Crew of 4–7 with a quiver: our 7 seater SUV — 4WD, roof racks fitted, plenty of room for wetsuits and gear.

Surf trip tips

• The west coast (Piha, Muriwai, Raglan) is black sand — it gets hot. Wear booties on summer afternoons.
• NZ water is colder than it looks — a 3/2 wetsuit year-round, 4/3 in winter.
• Rips are serious on the west coast. Surf with someone, between the flags, and check the forecast before you paddle out.
• Don't drive a rental car on Ninety Mile Beach — beach driving is prohibited, and damage caused by it is excluded from cover and may exceed your excess.

Ready to load the boards?

Get an instant quote and ask us to fit the roof racks free of charge on any 7 seater booking — or see the full rental car fleet.