Best time to surf Taupō Bay

The best time to surf at Taupō Bay is April–September, with waves of about 1.4 m and water around 17°C.

Taupō Bay, Northland, New Zealand

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: April–September

Taupō Bay is a small settlement in a north-east-facing bay on Northland's east coast, north of Whangaroa Harbour; it is not the lake in the middle of the North Island. From Kerikeri it takes about 45 to 50 minutes: State Highway 10 through Kāeo, then the signposted Taupō Bay turn-off to the end of the road, which is mostly sealed. The sandy beach is about 1.5 km long. There is free parking and public toilets, and boats launch at the northern end, but there are no shops or cafés: bring food and water, and fill up in Kerikeri or Kāeo.

The beach break has several peaks with lefts and rights, and the best-known wave is at the southern end, a right that gets good in a clean north swell. It works best in a north to north-east swell with a west to south-west wind, which blows offshore; even a light onshore wind spoils it. It works on all tides, often best around mid tide. The swell comes mostly with tropical lows and easterly storms, and the wave figures are highest from April to September (about 1.3 to 1.4 m, against 1.1 to 1.2 m from November to March), so autumn and winter are the most reliable months.

The beach is not patrolled. Rips and undertow form along the beach and there are rocks at the ends, so it suits intermediate and experienced surfers; beginners should only go in on small, clean days and near other people. Watch for boats at the northern end. After heavy rain, stay out of the water for two to three days. The water is about 15 °C in August and 22 °C in February: a 5/4 with boots in winter, a 3/2 in summer.

Month by month at Taupō Bay

January: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 21°C, air 24°C (nights 17°C), 27 sunny days, 16 rainy days
February: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 22°C, air 24°C (nights 17°C), 24 sunny days, 13 rainy days
March: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 21°C, air 23°C (nights 15°C), 28 sunny days, 8 rainy days
April: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 15°C), 23 sunny days, 15 rainy days
May: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 18°C, air 19°C (nights 13°C), 26 sunny days, 11 rainy days
June: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 17°C, air 17°C (nights 11°C), 23 sunny days, 14 rainy days
July: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 24 sunny days, 13 rainy days
August: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 15°C, air 16°C (nights 9°C), 25 sunny days, 14 rainy days
September: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 10°C), 26 sunny days, 14 rainy days
October: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 16°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 27 sunny days, 14 rainy days
November: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 18°C, air 21°C (nights 14°C), 28 sunny days, 15 rainy days
December: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 20°C, air 23°C (nights 16°C), 26 sunny days, 16 rainy days