Surfing in New Zealand in July
In July the best surfing in New Zealand is at Ahipara, Raglan – Manu Bay & Taranaki – Stent Road.
Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Waves: 2.2 m on average (daily maximum)
- Water: 10–16°C, 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves at 10–11°C; 5/4 wetsuit and boots at 13–15°C; 4/3 wetsuit at 16°C
- Air: 13°C by day, 8°C at night
- Weather: sun (6+ hours) on about 22 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 14; a day can have both
- For beginners: Ahipara, New Plymouth – Fitzroy Beach & Wellington – Lyall Bay.
When are you planning to go?
1
JulPEAK SEASON
Ahipara
New Zealand
2.7 m waves16° water16° air
Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ KAT 16 km
2
JulPEAK SEASON
Manu Bay
Raglan · New Zealand
2.6 m waves15° water14° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ HLZ 46 km
3
JulPEAK SEASON
Stent Road
Taranaki · New Zealand
2.6 m waves15° water14° air
Advanced only · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ NPL 43 km
4
JulPEAK SEASON
Fitzroy Beach
New Plymouth · New Zealand
2.6 m waves15° water14° air
Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ NPL 8 km
5
JulPEAK SEASON
Lyall Bay
Wellington · New Zealand
2.4 m waves13° water13° air
Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ WLG 1 km
6
JulPEAK SEASON
St Clair
Dunedin · New Zealand
2.4 m waves11° water11° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ DUD 23 km
7
JulPEAK SEASON
Wainui Beach
Gisborne · New Zealand
2.4 m waves14° water14° air
Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ GIS 9 km
8
JulPEAK SEASON
Mangamaunu
Kaikōura · New Zealand
2.4 m waves11° water12° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ BHE 88 km
9
JulPEAK SEASON
Mount Maunganui
Main Beach · New Zealand
1.7 m waves15° water14° air
Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ TRG 5 km
10
JulPEAK SEASON
Papamoa
New Zealand
1.7 m waves15° water14° air
Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ TRG 9 km
11
JulPEAK SEASON
New Brighton
Christchurch · New Zealand
1.7 m waves11° air
Intermediate and up · ✈ CHC 16 km
12
JulPEAK SEASON
Whangamatā Bar
New Zealand
1.6 m waves15° water14° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ TRG 58 km
13
JulPEAK SEASON
Sumner
Christchurch · New Zealand
1.6 m waves10° water12° air
Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ CHC 20 km
14
JulGOOD
Opunake
New Zealand
2.4 m waves14° water14° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ NPL 57 km
15
JulGOOD
Piha
New Zealand
2.2 m waves15° water15° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ AKL 29 km
16
JulGOOD
Muriwai
New Zealand
2.2 m waves14° water14° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ AKL 38 km
Averages of the 16 spots on this page. Wave height: average daily maximum.
Questions
Where to go surfing in New Zealand in July?
Ahipara: 2.7 m waves; Raglan – Manu Bay: 2.6 m waves; Taranaki – Stent Road: 2.6 m waves.
How warm is the water in New Zealand in July?
10–16°C: 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves at 10–11°C; 5/4 wetsuit and boots at 13–15°C; 4/3 wetsuit at 16°C.
Where can beginners go surfing in July?
Good spots for beginners this month: Ahipara, New Plymouth – Fitzroy Beach & Wellington – Lyall Bay.
Which airport is closest?
Kaitaia Airport (KAT), 16 km from Ahipara; Hamilton International Airport (HLZ), 46 km from Raglan – Manu Bay; New Plymouth Airport (NPL), 43 km from Taranaki – Stent Road.
