Best time to kitesurf Wainui Bay – Golden Bay

The best time to kitesurf at Wainui Bay – Golden Bay is September–December, with about 9 windy days a month (15+ knots) and water around 15°C.

Tākaka, Tasman (Golden Bay), New Zealand

Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Parawing

Best time to go: September–December

Wainui Bay lies at the south-eastern end of Golden Bay / Mohua, about 24 km north-east of Tākaka, on the edge of Abel Tasman National Park. The Wainui River flows into the bay through Wainui Inlet, and several walking tracks start here, including the Wainui Falls track and the northern end of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There are no shops: Tākaka has food, fuel and accommodation.

The bay is sheltered from ocean swell by Farewell Spit, and kiters use it in north to north-westerly winds, mostly in spring, from September to December. The inlet is flat and ideal for freestyle and foiling from about two hours before to two hours after high tide; at low tide it drains and can be walked across, and the outer beach then has small waves. Riders usually launch from the Wainui car park or walk to the main beach on a lower tide.

With the tide this important, check the tide table before you go and leave the inlet as it empties. It is a remote spot with no lifeguards and few people, so ride with someone and respect the national park and the birdlife on the sand flats. The water is about 12 °C in August and 20 °C in February: a 4/3 in spring, a 3/2 in summer.

Month by month at Wainui Bay – Golden Bay

January: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 0.3 m, water 19°C, air 21°C (nights 15°C), 26 sunny days, 10 rainy days
February: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 0.3 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 15°C), 24 sunny days, 9 rainy days
March: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.3 m, water 19°C, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 28 sunny days, 9 rainy days
April: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 0.5 m, water 18°C, air 18°C (nights 12°C), 22 sunny days, 11 rainy days
May: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.5 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 23 sunny days, 11 rainy days
June: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 14°C, air 14°C (nights 9°C), 21 sunny days, 13 rainy days
July: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 13°C, air 13°C (nights 7°C), 22 sunny days, 12 rainy days
August: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 12°C, air 13°C (nights 7°C), 24 sunny days, 11 rainy days
September: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.6 m, water 13°C, air 15°C (nights 9°C), 25 sunny days, 13 rainy days
October: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.5 m, water 14°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 26 sunny days, 13 rainy days
November: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.4 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 13 rainy days
December: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.3 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 26 sunny days, 13 rainy days

Kitesurfing in New Zealand: September, October, November, December

When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling & parawing at Wainui Bay – Golden Bay?

September–December, when it is windy most often.

How warm is the water at Wainui Bay – Golden Bay?

12°C to 20°C over the year: a 3/2 full suit in the warmest month, a 5/4 with hood, boots and gloves in the coolest.

How windy is Wainui Bay – Golden Bay?

About 72 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in October.

Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).

Spots near Wainui Bay – Golden Bay

More: All spots in New Zealand · Kitesurfing in New Zealand · Wingfoiling in New Zealand · Parawing in New Zealand

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