Henderson Bay (Northland)
- Advanced riders, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Henderson Bay is a remote, exposed beach-and-reef surfing spot in Northland with consistent surf and a demanding character. The break is described as powerful, with a gnarly drop-in into hollow/barrel-type sections and multiple peaks extending down the beach. For the cleanest, most usable conditions, southwest winds are favored (offshore), while northeast winds tend to be onshore and create messier surf. The spot’s best swell direction is northeast, and mid tide is consistently identified as the most favorable tide phase. Safety is a key concern: rocks and shallow inside areas (plus submerged reef depth at low tide) are recurring hazards. Additional risk factors reported include rip currents near reef/rocky sections and the remoteness of the coastline, with no on-site rescue capability reported. Seasonally, February is flagged as the best month, aligning with reported clean conditions sometimes occurring in that window, even though February is also noted for being blown out a large share of the time. Overall, it’s a quiet, low-profile destination best suited to advanced/expert surfers who can manage power, shallow sections, and hazard awareness.
- Exposed beach-and-reef break with consistent surf
- Northeast swell preference and southwest winds for best faces
- Hollow/barrel drop-in and multiple peaks
- Rarely crowded, remote Northland setting
- Rock/reef hazards and potential rip currents
- Exposed, consistent surf with a strong northeast swell relationship and southwest winds for best surf conditions.
- Rarely crowded and suited to travelers looking for a quiet, remote break.
- Very clear water is reported, with a scenic, nature-focused setting.
- Advanced to expert waves only: powerful/hollow sections and shallow inside areas can increase difficulty.
- Rock and reef hazards plus possible rip currents make the water unforgiving.
- Not clean often in the windier window: in February, conditions are reported as blown out much more frequently than clean.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider data also describes frontal influence on top of typical Far North patterns.
- Reliability
- 39% blown out, 19% clean in February
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- December, January, February
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec · Dir: E, NNE, NE · Regional pattern indicates afternoon thermal sea breezes during summer months.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand is reported, with rocky outcrops and submerged reefs adding mixed composition toward the northern end.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Some sources characterize the waves as powerful/huge; another provider reports medium surf size overall.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop
- Launch
- Medium — Long sandy beach with multiple peaks; rocky outcrops at the northern end.
Through the year
Generally quiet and rarely crowded; visitor numbers increase during summer school holidays.
June to August are more likely to see frequent rain and large storm swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach-and-reef surfing with consistent power. Known for a hollow/barrel drop-in and multiple peaks down the beach; conditions can become hollow and demanding with shallow inside sections and rock hazards.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Best from southwest offshore winds for cleaner/groomed faces; northeast winds are onshore and tend to create messier conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles moderate size well, but can start to close out in very large, direct northeast swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Surf-spot guidance also characterizes the wave as powerful with a gnarly drop-in into a hollow section.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow/barrel description on one source; another describes peeling waves with a right-hand reef section at the northern end.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Decent wall time on the reef section; shorter, punchy rides on the beach break.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer wall time on the reef section; beach break rides are typically shorter.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Henderson Bay (Northland) in the full forecast view.
Henderson Bay (Northland) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–17 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- W263°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2717 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.3 m6s period
- Temperature
- 13–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Henderson Bay (Northland) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.4–1.3 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
- shallow inside sections
- submerged reefs
- rip currents
- remote location
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Coastguard Kaitaia serves the broader Far North region.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services: dial 111; nearest hospital is in Kaitaia (about one hour away).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Spot-level sources describe no notable localism.
Rules of the spot
Advanced to expert surfers only due to powerful, hollow waves and shallow sections.
- Can get shallow on the inside—be ready for reduced depth.
- Be mindful of the reef depth during low tide to avoid hitting rocks.
- The northern end near the rocks holds the most consistent shape.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kaitaia
- Nearest Town
- Te Hiku Community
- Nearest Airport
- Kaitaia Airport (KAT)
- Parking
- Public gravel parking area is available at the end of the access road.
- Public Transport
- Non-existent; a private vehicle or rental car is required to reach the bay
- Access
- Beach access via Henderson Bay Road off State Highway 1; follow the gravel road to the beach access point. Parking at the end of the access road.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Māori
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Henderson Bay Campground is situated directly adjacent to the beach access.
- Food & Drink
- No food or drink facilities are at the beach itself; supplies are available in Houhora.
- Equipment Rental:
- No on-site rental services; visitors must be fully self-sufficient.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Far North around Henderson Bay is remote and wilderness-focused, with major coastal landmarks and outdoor scenery nearby.
The northernmost point where two oceans meet.
Remnants of the historic kauri gum digging industry.
Famous dunes for sandboarding and exploration.
A variety of local cafes and pubs are located in the main township.
Famous long beach suitable for driving and exploring at low tide.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Henderson Bay (Northland)?
The best overall months at Henderson Bay (Northland) are July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February. The best wind months are December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Henderson Bay (Northland)?
Henderson Bay (Northland) works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Henderson Bay (Northland) suitable for?
Henderson Bay (Northland) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.