Best time to surf Waimārama

The best time to surf at Waimārama is July–September, with waves of about 1.5 m and water around 13°C.

Waimārama, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: July–September

Waimārama is a small beach settlement on the Hawke's Bay coast, about 30 km south-east of Hastings and 20 minutes' drive from Havelock North through farmland. The long sandy beach faces east, with Te Motu-o-Kura (Bare Island) about 2 km offshore, an island popular for fishing and diving. There is parking at the main beach access by the surf club, and the Waimārama Surf Life Saving Club patrols at weekends from November to March, with lifeguards on weekdays in the summer holidays.

The waves break over sand beside a rocky point, giving lefts and rights. It works best in an easterly swell with a westerly to south-westerly wind, which blows offshore, usually around mid tide. Small days suit learners, but in a solid swell the waves get powerful and the shore break fast. Some of the best waves come in winter, when the beach is quiet. Ocean Beach, a little further north, is another long sandy beach with sandbar breaks.

Waimārama is known for strong rips that run along the beach and change with the tide and the size of the surf; dozens of people have been rescued from them over the years. Swim and surf between the flags when the beach is patrolled, and surf with others. The water is about 13 °C in August and 19 °C in February: a 4/3 in winter, a 3/2 or a spring suit in summer. Hawke's Bay Hospital in Hastings is about 30 minutes away.

Month by month at Waimārama

January: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 19°C, air 21°C (nights 16°C), 27 sunny days, 16 rainy days
February: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.6 m, water 19°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 24 sunny days, 12 rainy days
March: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 19°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 27 sunny days, 12 rainy days
April: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 18°C, air 19°C (nights 13°C), 25 sunny days, 9 rainy days
May: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 26 sunny days, 9 rainy days
June: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 14°C, air 15°C (nights 9°C), 22 sunny days, 13 rainy days
July: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 14°C, air 13°C (nights 8°C), 21 sunny days, 12 rainy days
August: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 13°C, air 14°C (nights 7°C), 24 sunny days, 11 rainy days
September: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 13°C, air 16°C (nights 9°C), 25 sunny days, 11 rainy days
October: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 14°C, air 18°C (nights 10°C), 27 sunny days, 11 rainy days
November: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 16°C, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 26 sunny days, 14 rainy days
December: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 18°C, air 22°C (nights 15°C), 27 sunny days, 15 rainy days