Best time to surf Sandy Bay – Tutukākā Coast

The best time to surf at Sandy Bay – Tutukākā Coast is June–September, with waves of about 1.5 m and water around 16°C.

Tutukākā, Northland, New Zealand

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: June–September

Sandy Bay is a small bay on Matapouri Road, on the Tutukākā Coast north-east of Whangārei: about 34 km and 40 minutes' drive from the city, or 11 km north of Tutukākā. It faces east across the Pacific, and on clear days you can see the Poor Knights Islands offshore. There is a small car park at the recreation reserve and roadside parking above the beach, with toilets, a grassy picnic area and barbecues; pōhutukawa trees give shade.

It is the best-known surf spot on this coast and often has waves a size or two bigger than the neighbouring bays. Peaks along the beach give lefts and rights over sand, with rocks at both ends. It works best in a north-east swell with a south-west to west wind, which blows offshore, at any tide and often better on the rising tide. North-east swells come mostly from late summer to winter, with tropical lows and easterly storms. On small days it suits beginners, and surf schools teach here in the warmer months; boards can be hired on the beach or in Tutukākā.

Rips run beside the rocks at the ends of the bay and get stronger as the swell grows: surf the middle of the beach, surf with others, and stay out of a big swell unless you are experienced. The small stream at the beach forms a shallow pool that is safer for children than the sea. The water is about 15 °C in August and 22 °C in February: a 5/4 with boots in winter, a 3/2 or a spring suit in summer. Whangārei Hospital is about 40 minutes away.

Month by month at Sandy Bay – Tutukākā Coast

January: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 21°C, air 22°C (nights 17°C), 27 sunny days, 16 rainy days
February: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.6 m, water 22°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 25 sunny days, 13 rainy days
March: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 21°C, air 22°C (nights 15°C), 28 sunny days, 11 rainy days
April: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1 m, water 20°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 23 sunny days, 19 rainy days
May: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 19°C, air 18°C (nights 13°C), 26 sunny days, 13 rainy days
June: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 17°C, air 16°C (nights 11°C), 24 sunny days, 14 rainy days
July: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 16°C, air 15°C (nights 10°C), 25 sunny days, 13 rainy days
August: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 9°C), 25 sunny days, 12 rainy days
September: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 10°C), 26 sunny days, 13 rainy days
October: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 12°C), 27 sunny days, 14 rainy days
November: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 27 sunny days, 16 rainy days
December: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 19°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 27 sunny days, 15 rainy days