Napier – Westshore

Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Parawing, SUP

Best time to go: October

Westshore is a suburb of Napier on the northern side of the Ahuriri estuary, with a long beach facing east across Hawke Bay. The region is one of the sunniest in New Zealand, and in summer the afternoon sea breeze blows from the north-east to east, cross-onshore, with stronger winds when fronts pass. Kitesurfers, windsurfers and wing riders use the beach, and the estuary nearby offers flatter water.

The beach is steep, with a mix of sand and shingle, so launching and landing need care, and the shorebreak can be dumping in onshore swell. Napier airport is right behind the beach, and riders must keep to the rules about flying near the runway approach. Cafés and the Napier waterfront are close by.

Month by month at Napier – Westshore

January: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 21°C, air 23°C (nights 15°C), 25 sunny days, 15 rainy days
February: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 21°C, air 23°C (nights 16°C), 22 sunny days, 10 rainy days
March: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 13°C), 25 sunny days, 11 rainy days
April: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 12°C), 22 sunny days, 9 rainy days
May: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 9°C), 24 sunny days, 8 rainy days
June: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 14°C, air 15°C (nights 9°C), 20 sunny days, 12 rainy days
July: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 12°C, air 14°C (nights 7°C), 21 sunny days, 11 rainy days
August: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2 m, water 12°C, air 14°C (nights 7°C), 23 sunny days, 9 rainy days
September: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 13°C, air 17°C (nights 8°C), 24 sunny days, 11 rainy days
October: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 15°C, air 19°C (nights 10°C), 27 sunny days, 9 rainy days
November: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 18°C, air 21°C (nights 13°C), 25 sunny days, 12 rainy days
December: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 20°C, air 23°C (nights 15°C), 24 sunny days, 14 rainy days

When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at Napier – Westshore?

October, when it is windy most often.

How warm is the water at Napier – Westshore?

12°C to 21°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 Napier – Westshore?

About 96 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in October.

Figures from 4 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).

Spots near Napier – Westshore

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

Compare with: Lake Taupō – Acacia Bay vs Napier – Westshore · Gisborne – Wainui Beach vs Napier – Westshore

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