Is May a good time for surfing at Mangawhai Heads?
May is a good month for surfing at Mangawhai Heads (best: June–September). Waves 1.2 m, water 19°C (3/2 wetsuit), air 18°C.
Plan your trip to Mangawhai HeadsEvery month at a glance, daily wind and waves from years of weather statistics, photos, videos and local tips.Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Waves: 1.2 m on average (daily maximum)
- Water: 19°C, 3/2 wetsuit
- Air: 18°C by day, 13°C at night
- Weather: 27 sunny days, 11 rainy days
Wave height: average daily maximum. Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Best time to go →Other spots for surfing in May
1
MayPEAK SEASON
Ahipara
New Zealand
2.5 m waves18° water18° air
166 km away · Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ KAT 16 km
2
MayGOOD
Manu Bay
Raglan · New Zealand
2.4 m waves18° water17° air
194 km away · Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ HLZ 46 km
3
MayGOOD
Piha
New Zealand
2.1 m waves17° water18° air
98 km away · Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ AKL 29 km
4
MayGOOD
Fitzroy Beach
New Plymouth · New Zealand
2.3 m waves17° water16° air
332 km away · Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 8 km
5
MayGOOD
Muriwai
New Zealand
2.1 m waves17° water17° air
85 km away · Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ AKL 38 km
6
MayGOOD
Stent Road
Taranaki · New Zealand
2.3 m waves17° water16° air
357 km away · Advanced only · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ NPL 43 km
Within 1,500 km, ranked by wave height and, a little, warm water.
Other surfing spots in New Zealand in May →Where to go surfing in May →Questions
Is May a good time for surfing at Mangawhai Heads?
May is a good month for surfing at Mangawhai Heads (best: June–September). Waves 1.2 m, water 19°C (3/2 wetsuit), air 18°C.
How warm is the water at Mangawhai Heads in May?
About 19°C: 3/2 wetsuit.
How big are the waves at Mangawhai Heads in May?
About 1.2 m on average (daily maximum).
What is the weather like at Mangawhai Heads in May?
Around 18°C by day and 13°C at night, with about 27 sunny and 11 rainy days.
Where else can I go surfing in May?
Within 1,500 km: Ahipara (2.5 m waves), Raglan – Manu Bay (2.4 m waves) & Piha (2.1 m waves).
Read more
North Island Surf Road Trip: 3 Weeks in a Motorhome, Coast to Coast7 min read
Which wetsuit do you need? Water temperature at popular spots, month by month2 min read