Colac Bay
- Bodyboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Colac Bay is an exposed sandy beach break west of Invercargill in Southland, known for reliable surf that can work at any time of year. Reports describe a generally friendly, non-gnarly wave profile over the main beach, making it a suitable place to learn and progress when conditions are manageable. For surfing, the bay’s northwest winds are often offshore and can help keep things cleaner. The spot is also associated with a famous long left-hand point break on the western end (“Trees”), which can produce very long, peeling rides on the right kind of south/southwest swell, typically favoring mid-tide for point performance. Safety is a major priority here: rip currents are common, rocks sit near the shore, and sharks are reported to inhabit the waters. Cold-water conditions add another risk—windchill makes temperatures feel much colder than air readings—so full winter neoprene protection is strongly recommended. Crowds are usually low. When the point break is working and/or during summer weekends, activity can increase, but it still tends to feel less crowded than many widely known New Zealand surf destinations. For after-session recovery, a nearby tavern is commonly used by visitors.
- Reliable exposed beach break in Southland
- Offshore northwesterlies can improve surf cleanliness
- Famous long peeling left-hand point break on the western end (when swell works)
- Usually low crowd levels
- Reliable surf at this exposed beach location
- Sandy beach break typically suitable for progression
- Often quiet compared with many popular breaks
- Cold water year-round
- Rip currents are common
- Rocks near shore and shark presence
- Conditions are exposed to the elements
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, N
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind pattern described as frontal systems / gradient-driven flows in the region; at the spot northwest is the key direction for good surf conditions.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported moderate gusting.
- Best Months
- February
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves reported in general; point can offer more significant surf on a good swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with easy access for launching/self-launch.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch/self-launch reported on the sandy beach.
Through the year
Usually quiet, but can get busier on summer weekends and when the point break is working.
Winter months (June to August) are often wet and cold; Southern Ocean gales are most frequent and intense in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Large area for kitesurfing with cooler water; reported to be less crowded than many other nearby spots. Strong winds can come from the south/southwest in the wider region, and cross-shore conditions are possible depending on wind direction.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Good for wave riding and bump-and-jump conditions in the bay; strong winds from the south and southwest are noted regionally.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Possible in the bay area with care near rocky points; open space in the bay supports tacking.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
A sandy beach break at Colac Bay with fun, non-gnarly waves that can suit beginners when conditions are manageable, and it can become more powerful/exciting with the right swell.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — General surf can work at any time of year/tide; specific point conditions are noted for mid-tide in some reports.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Exposed overall, but the western point can offer some shelter from westerly winds.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds are offshore and provide cleaner conditions; strong westerlies can make things messier.
- Bigger Swell
- Needs a bigger swell to really activate right-hand point features; point areas can hold size well but currents can become very strong on larger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling beach break / point break behavior depending on swell.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves with medium speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides can vary from beach breaks to longer point rides depending on swell.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- The western end is known for a long, peeling left-hand point break when the swell is working (best with a solid south/southwest swell).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Colac Bay in the full forecast view.
Colac Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–24 ktsGusts 43 kts
- Direction
- WNW287°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2924 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–3.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 7–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Colac Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 10–24 kts, peaking around 24 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 43 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 1.4–3.7 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- rip currents
- rocks
- sharks
- cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Coastguard Riverton provides marine search and rescue services for the area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Invercargill, approximately 40 minutes away. In New Zealand, the primary emergency number is 111.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported, especially at the point break.
Rules of the spot
Standard international surfing etiquette applies; respect the locals when the point break is working. Take care around rips and rocks.
- Take care of rips, rocks, and sharks.
- Great white sharks are known to inhabit the waters of the Foveaux Strait and Southland coast.
- The water temperature is quite cold, with windchill adding to the chill—wear full protection.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Invercargill
- Nearest Town
- Oraka
- Parking
- Ample free parking available directly along the beach front and at the domain.
- Access
- Sandy beach break accessible from Colac Bay Road, west of Invercargill.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping at the Colac Bay Domain and local cabins/holiday homes are reported in the area.
- Food & Drink
- A tavern near the beach is reported for meals and refreshments.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Oraka–Aparima coastal area is known for rugged beauty and a low-commercial-tourism feel centered on local maritime culture and outdoor access.
An interactive museum in Riverton showcasing the heritage of the region, focusing on Māori and European history.
The local marae and cultural hub for the Ngāi Tahu people in the Colac Bay and Riverton area.
New Zealand's long-distance tramping track passes through the region, offering scenic coastal hiking.
A popular local eatery in Riverton offering views of the estuary and coastal fare.
A nearby beach famous for its colorful stones and pebbles, popular for beachcombing and walking.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Colac Bay?
The best overall months at Colac Bay are February.
Which wind directions work at Colac Bay?
Colac Bay works with NW, N winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Colac Bay?
Recommended equipment sizes at Colac Bay: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Colac Bay suitable for?
Colac Bay suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.