Best time to surf Ōkārito

The best time to surf at Ōkārito is June–August, with waves of about 1.6 m and water around 13°C.

Franz Josef, West Coast, New Zealand

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: June–August

Ōkārito is a tiny village on the South Island's West Coast, reached by a 13 km road that leaves State Highway 6 north of Franz Josef / Waiau. It sits between the Tasman Sea and Ōkārito Lagoon, the largest unmodified coastal wetland in New Zealand, known for its birdlife and kayaking. The village has a community-run campground close to the beach, but no shop or fuel; those are in Franz Josef / Waiau.

The beach is an exposed beach break with lefts and rights over sand, with rocks nearby, and gets very consistent surf, a mix of groundswell and wind swell. It is usually best in a west swell with a south-easterly wind, which blows offshore, and has some shelter from southerly winds. The tide makes little difference. It is rarely crowded, even on good days.

This is a spot for intermediate and experienced surfers: rips are strong, there are rocks, and there are no lifeguards and little help nearby, so surf with someone. The water is about 12 °C in August and 18 °C in February: a 5/4 with boots in winter, a 4/3 or 3/2 in summer.

Month by month at Ōkārito

January: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 27 sunny days, 12 rainy days
February: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.5 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 20 sunny days, 14 rainy days
March: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 24 sunny days, 13 rainy days
April: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 11°C), 19 sunny days, 14 rainy days
May: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 9°C), 20 sunny days, 15 rainy days
June: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 14°C, air 13°C (nights 7°C), 18 sunny days, 15 rainy days
July: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 13°C, air 12°C (nights 6°C), 19 sunny days, 15 rainy days
August: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 12°C, air 13°C (nights 5°C), 20 sunny days, 16 rainy days
September: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 13°C, air 13°C (nights 7°C), 18 sunny days, 19 rainy days
October: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 13°C, air 15°C (nights 8°C), 22 sunny days, 20 rainy days
November: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1 m, water 15°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 22 sunny days, 17 rainy days
December: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 19 rainy days