Best Surf Spots Within a Day's Drive of Auckland

Sights along the way

Sight photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons — see individual post credits.

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](/blog/auckland-to-northland-road-trip-week). **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](/blog/auckland-to-northland-road-trip-week).

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 — soft sand and saltwater will void your insurance.

Ready to load the boards?

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