Best time to surf Kaikōura – Meatworks

The best time to surf at Kaikōura – Meatworks is June–September, with waves of about 1.5 m and water around 11°C.

Kaikōura, Canterbury (Kaikōura), New Zealand

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: June–September

Meatworks is a surf break on the Kaikōura coast just north of the Hapuku River, about ten minutes' drive north of Kaikōura town on State Highway 1. A gravel road crosses the railway line to a gravel car park with a toilet block in front of the break. Mangamaunu, the well-known right-hand point, is a few kilometres further north, and Kaikōura has shops, fuel and accommodation.

The wave breaks over boulders and sand, with punchy left and right A-frame peaks off the beach and more reefs further out. It is known as the most consistent break in Kaikōura and works on most swell directions, but it is best in a south-east swell with an offshore westerly wind. Low to mid tide is usually best, on a rising tide. Winter is the best season, with clean waves on about four days in ten in June, while the summer is often flat.

It is a break for intermediate surfers; smaller days can suit improvers. Watch for rips and the boulders, sharks have been seen in the area, and it gets crowded when it is good, so respect the locals and the line-up. The water is about 10 °C in August and 17 °C in February: a 5/4 with boots and a hood in winter, a 4/3 in summer.

Month by month at Kaikōura – Meatworks

January: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 17°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 26 sunny days, 14 rainy days
February: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 17°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 22 sunny days, 14 rainy days
March: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 16°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 26 sunny days, 12 rainy days
April: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1 m, water 15°C, air 18°C (nights 11°C), 22 sunny days, 12 rainy days
May: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 4 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 13°C, air 16°C (nights 8°C), 21 sunny days, 10 rainy days
June: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 12°C, air 13°C (nights 7°C), 19 sunny days, 12 rainy days
July: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 11°C, air 12°C (nights 6°C), 20 sunny days, 12 rainy days
August: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 10°C, air 13°C (nights 5°C), 24 sunny days, 12 rainy days
September: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 11°C, air 15°C (nights 7°C), 25 sunny days, 13 rainy days
October: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 12°C, air 17°C (nights 9°C), 27 sunny days, 12 rainy days
November: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1 m, water 14°C, air 19°C (nights 11°C), 27 sunny days, 14 rainy days
December: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 16°C, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 25 sunny days, 15 rainy days