Best time to surf Karamea

The best time to surf at Karamea is July–August, with waves of about 1.7 m and water around 13°C.

Karamea, West Coast, New Zealand

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: July–August

Karamea is the northernmost town of any size on the South Island's West Coast, about 96 km north of Westport at the end of the coast road, near the southern start of the Heaphy Track at Kohaihai. The town has a shop, a hotel, cafés, a holiday park and fuel. The beach lies west of the town, on either side of the Karamea River mouth; Little Wanganui, about 15 km south, has another beach and river-mouth break.

The waves break over a steep beach of shingle, sand and some rock, with several peaks along the coast and a bar at the river mouth. They are punchy and often hollow close to shore. It is usually best in a west swell with an easterly wind, which blows offshore, and works on all tides, though a rising tide is usually better. Lineups are quiet; you may surf alone.

This is a spot for intermediate and experienced surfers. River mouths here have strong currents and rips, and local guides advise against swimming in the open sea; after heavy rain the rivers bring brown water and logs. There are no lifeguards and help is far away, so surf with someone. The water is about 13 °C in August and 19 °C in February: a 5/4 with boots in winter, a 4/3 or 3/2 in summer.

Month by month at Karamea

January: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.6 m, water 19°C, air 21°C (nights 13°C), 27 sunny days, 17 rainy days
February: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.5 m, water 19°C, air 21°C (nights 13°C), 23 sunny days, 14 rainy days
March: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 18°C, air 19°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 16 rainy days
April: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 17°C, air 18°C (nights 10°C), 22 sunny days, 14 rainy days
May: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 8°C), 20 sunny days, 15 rainy days
June: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 14°C, air 14°C (nights 6°C), 18 sunny days, 17 rainy days
July: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 13°C, air 13°C (nights 5°C), 19 sunny days, 17 rainy days
August: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 13°C, air 13°C (nights 5°C), 21 sunny days, 16 rainy days
September: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 13°C, air 14°C (nights 7°C), 21 sunny days, 23 rainy days
October: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 14°C, air 15°C (nights 8°C), 24 sunny days, 21 rainy days
November: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 15°C, air 17°C (nights 9°C), 22 sunny days, 20 rainy days
December: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 22 rainy days