Best Time to Ride · Ruakākā – Bream Bay vs Te Ārai Point
Ruakākā – Bream Bay vs Te Ārai Point: which is better for surfing?
Ruakākā – Bream Bay or Te Ārai Point? Month by month: windy days, waves and water temperature side by side, from years of weather data.
Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Te Ārai Point has bigger waves in 9 of 12 months.
- Ruakākā – Bream Bay and Te Ārai Point have about the same water temperature.
- Best months at Ruakākā – Bream Bay: June–August.
- Best months at Te Ārai Point: July–August.
- 33 km apart.
BestJun–Aug
Bream Bay
Ruakākā · New Zealand
Beginner-friendly · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ WRE 18 km
Wave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND0.60.60.70.81.31.51.61.51.41.110.7
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND212221201817151515161820
Best time to go →
BestJul–Aug
Te Ārai Point
New Zealand
Intermediate and up · 15°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ WRE 50 km
Wave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND0.70.70.80.91.11.41.71.61.51.30.90.8
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND212221201917161515161819
Best time to go →Wave height: average daily maximum. Water: average sea surface temperature.