Clark Island (Whangamatā)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Empty
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Clark Island (Whangamatā) is an exposed reef break in the Coromandel that’s known for producing inconsistent surf and fast, technical waves. It works off east-northeast swells and is most favored when winds come from the southwest, turning them offshore and helping groom the swell. The wave setup is typically described as right-hand peeling along the edge of the island, with reef sections that can offer decent wall sections. Ride length is generally medium: there can be quality, but it’s not the longest or most forgiving option compared with the nearby town beach breaks. On larger days, the wave can become heavy and dangerous. Getting out is part of the challenge. Access is water-only, either via a long paddle (often described as roughly 15–20 minutes from the main beach depending on conditions) or by boat/kayak. Conditions are also tide-sensitive for safety: there should be sufficient water over the reef to reduce the risk of striking rocks, and the take-off zone is limited. Crowd levels are generally low, with the spot often empty during weekdays and weekends. Still, the hazard picture is serious: rocks are the main risk, including shallow reef sections and exposed/submerged rocks. If you go, plan for the long transit, check tides carefully, and follow standard surfing etiquette in a limited lineup.
- Exposed reef break in the Coromandel region
- Best with east-northeast swells and southwest offshore winds
- Right-hand peeling waves along the island edge
- Typically uncrowded during the week and weekends
- Rocks are the primary hazard
- Offshore wind grooming from southwest directions helps shape the swell
- Right-hand reef wave with faster, more challenging character than nearby mainland beach breaks
- Works at all tides (with mid-tide commonly cited as best)
- Typically uncrowded during weekdays and weekends
- Exposed reef break with inconsistent surf
- Main hazard is rocks with a shallow reef in spots
- Requires a significant paddle/long water transit
- No rescue/lifeguard presence indicated
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze influence in summer is noted, with light sea breezes developing in the afternoon.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Gustiness described as light.
- Best Months
- January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar · Dir: N, NE · Light sea breezes commonly develop in summer afternoons.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf described in one result.
- Launch
- Big — Requires a long paddle from Whangamatā Beach or boat access.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Long paddle distance and water-only access.
Through the year
Quieter than the main beach, but can get busy during summer holidays and on good E swell weekends.
Winter months (June to August) see more frequent storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible for experienced riders who can handle the long transit and reef depth, but largely unventured compared to the harbor.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
Exposed reef break with inconsistent surf in the Coromandel; best known for right-handers peeling along the edge of the island.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Works at all tides is also noted, with best described as mid tide in one result.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Southwest winds are perfectly offshore, grooming the swell.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles more size than the beach breaks but can become heavy and dangerous.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Right-hand reef break that peels along the island edge.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Decent wall sections but generally shorter than the town’s main beach breaks.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer decent wall sections but are generally shorter than the Whangamatā Bar.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Clark Island (Whangamatā) in the full forecast view.
Clark Island (Whangamatā) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–16 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- W261°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2916 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.9 m6s period
- Temperature
- 10–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Clark Island (Whangamatā) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.2–0.9 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Rip currents
- Shallow reef
- Long paddle distance
- Exposed and submerged rocks, reef sections
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence at the spot is indicated in the provided results.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism is noted; respect the lineup due to limited take-off zone.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup given the limited take-off zone.
- Be prepared for a 15-20 minute paddle from the main beach.
- Watch the tide to ensure there is enough water over the reef to avoid hitting rocks.
- The spot is typically empty during the week and weekends.
- Often used as a backup when nearby breaks are too small or crowded.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tauranga
- Nearest Town
- Whangamatā
- Parking
- Park at the Whangamatā Beach southern access points.
- Access
- Access is strictly via water, either by paddling from the southern end of Whangamatā Beach or via boat/kayak.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous baches, holiday parks, and motels in Whangamatā town.
- Food & Drink
- Whangamatā town center has a variety of cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Whangamatā town offer board rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to on-site school facilities for students; most visitors store gear at their accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops provide professional surfboard and wetsuit repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A hollowed-out volcanic island with a turquoise lagoon accessible via kayak or SUP through a small cave.
A local Māori cultural hub and meeting place for the community.
Extensive trail network including the Wentworth Valley tracks and waterfalls.
Calm waters ideal for family paddling and bird watching.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Clark Island (Whangamatā)?
The best overall months at Clark Island (Whangamatā) are January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Clark Island (Whangamatā)?
Clark Island (Whangamatā) works with SW, W winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Clark Island (Whangamatā) suitable for?
Clark Island (Whangamatā) suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Advanced.