Dee Dees
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Dee Dees is an exposed reef break on the rugged Wairarapa coast. The spot is known for inconsistent surf—particularly in summer when conditions often flatten—so sessions tend to depend on the right swell and tide alignment. When it does work, northerly winds help groom the waves, supporting offshore/cleaner surf. The spot is best around mid tide as the tide is rising, and it responds most favorably to south swell energy (reported as south and south-southeast). Providers describe the break as having medium ride potential with a peeling wave shape. This is a reef/rock hazards spot with rocks present throughout the riding area and launch zone. Conditions can become messy on very large south swells, and there are also reports of occasional rip currents and strong ocean drifts typical of the wider coastline—so it’s important to be prepared for changing water movement. The overall experience is quiet and low-profile, with relatively few surfers even on good days, but it remains remote and self-reliant: there are no lifeguards reported at the spot and no dedicated on-site rescue. Cold water is a factor most of the year, so bringing appropriate thermal protection (including booties) is strongly recommended.
- Exposed reef break with inconsistent surf
- Best around mid tide (rising)
- Offshore/northerly wind can groom waves
- Low-profile with relatively few surfers
- Rocks throughout the riding area and launch zone
- Exposed reef break with potential lefts and rights when conditions line up.
- Offshore northerly winds can groom the waves.
- Generally uncrowded/low-profile even on good days.
- Best around mid tide when the tide is rising.
- Inconsistent/infrequent surf; can be flat in summer.
- Reef hazards and rocky launch area.
- Cold water and no lifeguards/rescue reported at the spot.
- Wind reliability described as low; turbulence possible near shore with inland terrain.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider notes a frontal wind type; regional pattern is dominated by passing pressure systems/fronts rather than strong daily thermal cycles.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April
- Shadow Zones
- High terrain and cliffs inland can cause turbulence near the shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Providers note flat/inconsistent surf at times; one source also describes flat in summer.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky and limited shore space for launch.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky and limited shore space for launch.
Through the year
Winter months see frequent storms and heavy rain; frequent storms/heavy rainfall reported.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with inconsistent surf; can be often flat/inconsistent in summer. Works best when the right swell window and offshore northerly winds align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best around mid tide, particularly when the tide is rising.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the North groom the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and difficult in very large south swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Providers describe inconsistent/inconsistent surf; quality can be good on the right day.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Ride Length Details
- Medium ride length reported.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dee Dees in the full forecast view.
Dee Dees wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–26 ktsGusts 50 kts
- Direction
- NW311°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2626 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.5 m7s period
- Temperature
- 10–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dee Dees is forecast for daytime winds of 5–26 kts, peaking around 26 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 50 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.2–2.5 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- currents
- remote location
- cold water
- rip currents
- strong ocean drifts
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Dial 111 for emergency services; nearest medical facilities are in Martinborough (about 45–60 minutes away).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Generally quiet with relatively few surfers; localism described as mild.
Rules of the spot
Watch for rocks throughout the riding area and launch zone.
- No lifeguard presence reported.
- No rescue availability reported at the spot.
- Best conditions tend to be around mid tide when the tide is rising.
- Summer surf is often flat/inconsistent; be prepared for non-funcitonal sessions.
- Bring sturdy booties for walking across the reef.
- Ensure you have reliable transport; the approach can be winding and remote.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Martinborough
- Nearest Town
- Martinborough Community
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking or small dirt pull-offs near the coast.
- Access
- Near Martinborough Community in the Wairarapa region, along an exposed rocky shoreline.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Remote camping and a few coastal cottages/baches nearby; generally uncrowded even on weekends due to remoteness.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the spot; all supplies must be brought from Martinborough.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental facilities reported for this coast.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Dee Dees?
The best overall months at Dee Dees are April, May, June, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are April.
Which wind directions work at Dee Dees?
Dee Dees works with NNE winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Dee Dees suitable for?
Dee Dees suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.