Gisborne.

The breaks

Recognised, publicly known surf spots around Gisborne. Suitability depends on the day's swell, wind and tide, so treat the level as a guide, not a guarantee.

A sunny corner of the Pacific coast

Gisborne is the largest settlement in the district of the same name and sits on the north side of Poverty Bay. It has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers and mild winters, and the weather record shows around 2,200 hours of sunshine a year, which is among the sunniest of New Zealand's main centres. Rainfall near the coast is a little over a thousand millimetres a year.

Unlike the west coast, this shoreline faces the Pacific. Swell arrives from the east, north-east and south-east, so the beaches pick up energy from different weather systems. That variety is what gives the area its reputation for being reliable: if one direction is quiet, another may be making waves.

Wainui Beach: the main event

Wainui Beach, about eight kilometres east of the city along State Highway 35, is the best-known surf beach in the district and is known for consistent breaks. It is an east-facing beach break with several peaks along its length. Locals use names such as Stockroute, Schools and Pines for the sections towards the middle and southern end, and Chalet, Lone Pine and White Fence for the northern end.

Swell direction decides which end to try. An east or north-east swell tends to favour the middle sections, while a southerly or south-easterly swell often lights up the north end. Because the beach is long, you can usually find a peak with fewer people. Wainui is also a place where a few well-known national surfers grew up, so you will see good standard in the water on any decent day.

Makorori and the headlands north

North of Wainui, the coastline climbs towards a series of headlands with more points and reefs. Makorori Point is a right-hand point break that works best on swells from the east and south-east, according to local forecast sources, and the line-up can be a little more demanding than the main beach. There are also beach peaks at Makorori itself.

Further north-east lies the Mahia Peninsula, a long drive from the city but a popular destination for people who want fewer surfers and a more remote feel. Always check tide, swell and local advice, because several of the headland breaks need specific conditions and some work only over reef or rock.

City beaches and sheltered options

Close to the city centre, Waikanae and Midway are town beaches that offer smaller waves on many days and are a sensible option for beginners or for a quick session. Kaiti Beach, at the foot of Kaiti Hill, is where Captain Cook made his first New Zealand landfall in October 1769, and the landing site is a historic reserve. Sponge Bay is on the road out to Wainui.

These beaches do not always have the best surf, but they are convenient and often less crowded than the main breaks. After a big southerly swell they can be a safer choice than the open coast. The harbour and river mouth are not good places to swim or surf because of currents and debris.

Getting here and getting around

Gisborne Airport has regular flights to Auckland and Wellington, and the city is not on a main highway. By road, State Highway 2 links Gisborne to Napier via Wairoa and to Tauranga via Ōpōtiki, and both are long drives. Many surfers arrive on a short flight from Auckland and rent a car at the airport.

Wainui is about twenty minutes from the city by road, and you will want a car to move between Wainui, Makorori and the town. Public transport to the beaches is limited. If you are doing a longer North Island loop, the East Cape route past Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay is a scenic way to arrive, but allow plenty of time because the road is winding.

Food, wine and history between sessions

The Poverty Bay flats are farming country, with vineyards and orchards around Mākaraka, Matawhero and Ormond, and the region has built a reputation for white wine. Cafes and restaurants cluster in the city centre and by the river. Local seafood is a good choice.

For history, Kaiti Hill (Titirangi) gives a wide view over the bay and the Cook landing site, and the Tūranganui River, only about 1.2 km long, is described as the shortest river in New Zealand. Young Nick's Head, the headland first sighted from the Endeavour, is named after the cabin boy who spotted it. Māori and European history are both visible here, and the region is a good place to learn about both.

Water, wind and safety

East coast water is generally a little warmer than the west, but Gisborne is still a place for wetsuits for most of the year. A spring suit is enough for late summer in many seasons, and a 4/3 is typical in winter. Offshore winds on this coast are often from the west and north-west, so mornings are frequently the cleanest.

Rips run off the beach breaks, especially after a swell has built a channel in the sand. Lifeguards patrol some beaches in the summer season, but not every day, and the headland breaks have no cover. Surf with a friend, tell someone where you are going and take care on rock platforms at low tide. The sun is strong, so cover up.

Gisborne surf season month by month

A broad planning picture, not a forecast. Swell, wind and water temperature vary from year to year.

Learning to surf in Gisborne

Gisborne has a small number of surf schools and a lot of beginner-friendly beach. The most common teaching spots are the town beaches and the quieter stretches of Wainui, where sandbars are gentle on smaller days. Lessons usually use soft boards in the white water, with a wetsuit included.

Ask how many students share an instructor and how the school picks its beach on the day. The best operators move to the most sheltered banks and avoid areas with strong rips. Lessons in the morning generally have lighter winds and calmer water.

If you already surf and want to improve, Gisborne is a friendly place to progress. Locals tend to be welcoming when you follow etiquette, sit wide and wait your turn.

Comparing options across the country? Read our guide to surfing in New Zealand.