Muriwai
Muriwai, Auckland (West Coast), New Zealand
Sports: Kitesurfing, Surfing, Parawing
Best time to go: September
Muriwai Beach stretches for more than 50 km north from the Muriwai village on Auckland's west coast. The south end, near the cliffs and Motutara Island with its gannet colony, is where most kitesurfers and surfers go. Prevailing south-westerly and westerly winds blow cross-onshore, giving strong wind with waves for wave riding, especially from spring to autumn.
Conditions are powerful: big surf, strong rips and shorebreak make it a spot for experienced riders. The beach is a public road, so watch for vehicles on the sand. Lifeguards patrol the south end in summer. The gannet colony on the clifftop is a popular stop for visitors.
Month by month at Muriwai
- January: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 21°C, air 22°C (nights 17°C), 27 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- February: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 21°C, air 22°C (nights 17°C), 25 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- March: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 15°C), 28 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- April: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 19°C, air 19°C (nights 15°C), 24 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- May: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 17°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- June: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2 m, water 16°C, air 15°C (nights 11°C), 23 sunny days, 17 rainy days
- July: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 2.2 m, water 14°C, air 14°C (nights 10°C), 24 sunny days, 17 rainy days
- August: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2 m, water 14°C, air 14°C (nights 9°C), 26 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- September: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2.4 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- October: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 26 sunny days, 20 rainy days
- November: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 18°C, air 19°C (nights 14°C), 26 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- December: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 16°C), 27 sunny days, 17 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing & parawing at Muriwai?
September, when it is windy most often.
When is the best time to go surfing at Muriwai?
April–October, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Muriwai?
14°C to 21°C over the year: a 3/2 full suit in the warmest month, a 5/4 with boots in the coolest.
How windy is Muriwai?
About 120 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in September.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Muriwai
- Piha (14 km)
- Auckland – Waitematā Harbour (30 km)
- Lake Pupuke (31 km)
- Orewa (36 km)
- Raglan – Manu Bay (115 km)
- Whangamatā Bar (136 km)
- Kulim Park (179 km)
- Mount Maunganui – Main Beach (179 km)
More: All spots in New Zealand · Kitesurfing in New Zealand · Surfing in New Zealand · Parawing in New Zealand
Compare with: Muriwai vs Raglan – Manu Bay · Muriwai vs Piha · Auckland – Waitematā Harbour vs Muriwai