Best time to kitesurf Ōhope Beach

The best time to kitesurf at Ōhope Beach is January–March, October–December, the well-known local wind season, with water around 19°C.

Ōhope, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Sports: Kitesurfing, Surfing

Best time to go: January–March, October–December

Ōhope Beach runs for about 11 km along the eastern Bay of Plenty, from the West End below the headland near Whakatāne to the entrance of Ōhiwa Harbour. Whakatāne is about 10 minutes' drive over the hill, and Rotorua about an hour and a half away. The beach faces north, with Moutohorā (Whale Island) and Whakaari offshore, and there is parking along the road behind the dunes, with toilets and shops in the township. The Whakatāne Surf Life Saving Club is based at Ōhope and patrols the beach in summer.

Surfers find beach-break peaks along the sand. It works best in a north-north-east to east swell with a south to south-west wind, which blows offshore, at any tide; even a light onshore wind spoils it, so mornings are often best. North-east swells come mostly from late summer to winter. Kitesurfers ride the open beach in winds from the north-east to east and from the west to north-west, which blow cross-shore, with chop and waves; inside Ōhiwa Harbour there is flatter water for learners at the right tide, but keep away from the strong currents at the harbour entrance.

Rips form along the beach and shift during the day, and swimmers are rescued here most summers: surf with others, and between the flags when the club patrols. The water is about 14 °C in August and 22 °C in February: a 5/4 with boots in winter, a 3/2 or a shorty in summer. Whakatāne Hospital is about 15 minutes away.

Month by month at Ōhope Beach

January: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 0.6 m, water 21°C, air 23°C (nights 15°C), 27 sunny days, 14 rainy days
February: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.6 m, water 22°C, air 23°C (nights 15°C), 23 sunny days, 15 rainy days
March: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 21°C, air 22°C (nights 13°C), 28 sunny days, 10 rainy days
April: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 20°C, air 20°C (nights 12°C), 24 sunny days, 12 rainy days
May: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 18°C, air 17°C (nights 9°C), 25 sunny days, 10 rainy days
June: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 16°C, air 15°C (nights 8°C), 23 sunny days, 11 rainy days
July: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 6°C), 23 sunny days, 12 rainy days
August: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 14°C, air 15°C (nights 5°C), 26 sunny days, 10 rainy days
September: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 15°C, air 17°C (nights 7°C), 26 sunny days, 13 rainy days
October: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 9°C), 28 sunny days, 11 rainy days
November: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 12°C), 27 sunny days, 14 rainy days
December: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 20°C, air 22°C (nights 14°C), 26 sunny days, 15 rainy days