Herbertville
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Herbertville is an exposed beach and reef surf area on the Wairarapa coast, known for fairly consistent conditions through the year. The spot can work at any tide, featuring lefts and rights across beach and reef sections, and a standout right-hand point/reef near Cape Turnagain when the swell wraps around the headland. Wind conditions are commonly linked to west-facing flow, which can act offshore for cleaner, better-groomed waves. When the right combination comes together—southeast swells with offshore winds—surf tends to be reported as the most reliable, with the overall feel remaining rugged and open even when conditions vary. Safety considerations are significant: strong rip currents are common due to the exposed coastline, and there are submerged rocks/reef areas (especially around the river mouth/headland zones). The environment is remote with limited emergency options on-site, so surfers are advised to be fully prepared and, ideally, travel with a partner. Seasonally, the most favorable surfing conditions are typically reported in autumn (with April singled out as a best month). Water temperatures are cool year-round, and a spring wetsuit (optionally with neoprene boots) is commonly recommended based on the colder months and overall temperate conditions.
- Exposed beach and reef break with lefts and rights
- Cape Turnagain right-hand point/reef section (best with south/southeast swell)
- Works at any tide
- Fairly consistent surf year-round with both beach and reef sections.
- Offshore-oriented west winds can help groom the swell into cleaner conditions.
- Very low crowds due to the remote location.
- Very remote and exposed coastline; self-sufficient planning is required.
- Rips/currents and rocks present meaningful hazards.
- No lifeguards and limited rescue availability.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- NNW, W
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Regional pattern described as frontal and gradient; spot winds described from the west.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Some shelter is found directly under the lee of Cape Turnagain during certain wind angles.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with sections of reef and the Wainui River mouth.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Some sections may be unsealed; access can involve a walk or 4WD depending on conditions.
Through the year
Generally very low crowds year-round due to the remote location.
June to August
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach and reef break with fairly consistent surf year-round, including lefts and rights across both beach and reef sections; notably a right-hand point/reef section near Cape Turnagain when the swell wraps well.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed coastline; generally little shelter from swell.
- Wind Effect
- West winds are offshore, grooming the swell for clean conditions (winds also described as generally offshore-favoring north-northwest).
- Bigger Swell
- Point holds size well, but beach breaks may close out in very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Beach breaks offer shorter rides; the point break near the cape can provide longer, carving sections on a good southerly swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Beach breaks offer shorter rides; the point break can provide long, carving sections with a good south/southeast swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Herbertville in the full forecast view.
Herbertville wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–24 ktsGusts 42 kts
- Direction
- WNW284°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2524 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.9 m8s period
- Temperature
- 10–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Herbertville is forecast for daytime winds of 8–24 kts, peaking around 24 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 42 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.6–1.9 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- rips
- rocks
- rip currents
- isolation
- sharks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No rescue availability locally; regional response only.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Dannevirke or Masterton, both a significant drive away; regional emergency response is limited.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism indicated.
Rules of the spot
Follow remote-spot self-reliance guidance: bring sufficient fuel/food; cell reception can be patchy to non-existent.
- Lack of immediate emergency services: plan self-rescue and travel preparation.
- Take care of rips and rocks.
- The right-hand point break at Cape Turnagain needs a good south swell to wrap around the headland.
- Travel with a partner; the spot is very remote with no immediate emergency services.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hastings
- Nearest Town
- Herbertville
- Parking
- Parking is available near the beach and the motor camp area.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English, Māori
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Herbertville Campground offers basic camping and cabin facilities.
- Food & Drink
- Very limited local options; visitors should bring their own supplies from larger towns.
- Equipment Rental:
- None available locally; nearest in Napier or Wellington.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Rugged, uncrowded coastal scenery with historic Cape Turnagain and opportunities for coastal walks and beachcombing.
A prominent headland named by Captain James Cook in 1769.
Popular regional activity for catching kahawai and snapper.
Local pub and dining serving the remote coastal community.
The rugged coastline is known for shell collecting and occasional fossils.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Herbertville?
The best overall months at Herbertville are April. The best wind months are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Herbertville?
Herbertville works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are NNW, W.
What skill level is Herbertville suitable for?
Herbertville suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.