Long Bay
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Ocean, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Long Bay is a beginner-friendly wind-sports area in the Hibiscus and Bays region, defined by a wide sandy ocean beach and shallow water that stays usable for quite a distance out. The spot is commonly described as well suited for learners because the conditions are generally forgiving, with a small-wave environment and easy beach access for rigging. Wind quality is most often reported for north-to-east to east-northeast directions, with NE/E wind described as the key working direction. Typical reported wind speeds are in the ~15 to 25 knots range, though day-to-day reliability depends on passing weather systems. A summer sea-breeze pattern can sometimes contribute pressure in the afternoon, but it is described as less consistent than the frontal winds. Safety planning is essential due to swimmer activity, especially in summer, and because there are additional hazards at the northern end (rocks) and at low tide (sandbanks). Vessel/kite rules require staying at least 200 meters away from swimmers and keeping speed below 5 knots within 200 meters of shore when near others. There are also seasonal no-launch zones during peak summer around crowded swimming areas, and marine reserve rules apply. On-site facilities are reported as basic and practical, including showers and toilets, plus parking at the regional park. Lifeguards are seasonal, while rescue availability is limited; in an emergency, dial 111 and use the Coastguard VHF channel 16 as advised for marine response.
- Shallow, forgiving conditions for learning
- NE wind direction preference
- Wide sandy beach with practical launch/rigging space
- Marine reserve setting with swimmer-related seasonal constraints
- Wide sandy beach with shallow, forgiving water for learners
- Works best on NE/E winds with an onshore orientation
- Good basic facilities including showers and toilets within the regional park
- Very busy with beachgoers in summer
- Swimmers and northern rocks/sandbanks create hazards around the launch and low tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal winds with NE/Easterly component are described as the main reliable pattern; occasional summer sea-breezes can develop but are less consistent than frontal winds.
- Reliability
- Moderate; depends on passing weather systems
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Ocean, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small-wave conditions
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with a large grassy rigging area behind the dunes
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sand launch area with shallow water and an easy launch/rigging setup.
Through the year
Very busy with beachgoers in December and January; relatively quiet for riders on weekdays
Winter (June to August) sees more frequent rain and stronger, gustier frontal winds
By sport
What to expect for each.
Premier Auckland spot for beginners (and also described as suitable for intermediate riders in the spot-area context) due to shallow, forgiving conditions and an onshore NE/E wind orientation; includes a wide sandy beach for easier access and rigging.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Great for freeriding and slalom when NE winds fill in; the wide beach makes for easy access.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Highly popular foil spot; shallow entry allows foiling once water depth increases shortly after launch.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly due to water depth becoming sufficient within about 50 meters.
- Min Depth
- 0.5 meters at the shore, increasing quickly
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Long Bay in the full forecast view.
Long Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–18 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- W262°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2918 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.9 m3s period
- Temperature
- 11–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Long Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 4–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.1–0.9 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- Swimmers
- Rocks at the northern end
- Sandbanks at low tide
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited; Coastguard New Zealand (North Shore branch) provides marine search and rescue services.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 111 for emergency services; Coastguard Auckland monitors VHF channel 16.
Rules of the spot
Vessels (including kites) must stay 200m away from swimmers and keep speed below 5 knots within 200m of the shore if near others.
- No-launch zones in front of crowded swimming areas during peak summer.
- Marine reserve rules apply (no fishing).
- Works best on a NE wind.
- Park in the northernmost car parks for the shortest walk to the best rigging areas.
- Check the tide as the beach becomes very wide at low tide.
- No-launch zones apply in front of crowded swimming areas during peak summer; marine reserve rules apply (no fishing).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Torbay
- Nearest Town
- Torbay
- Parking
- Parking available on-site; extensive free parking in multiple lots within the regional park.
- Access
- Public access via Beach Road into Long Bay Regional Park. Just north of Torbay in the Hibiscus and Bays area; accessible by car via West Tamaki Rd toward Glendowie, then follow local directions to the beach.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available within the regional park; various rentals in Torbay. Additional accommodation across the Hibiscus Coast and Auckland region.
- Food & Drink
- Cafe located near the main park entrance; additional food options in Torbay village.
- Equipment Rental:
- No permanent rental shops directly on the beach (specialized wind-sports rental may be available via mobile schools/shops in the wider North Shore area).
- Gear Storage
- None available.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services available in central Auckland.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A regional-park coastal setting with walking tracks and protected marine environments, alongside nearby town amenities for food and everyday supplies.
Extensive coastal park with walking tracks, picnic areas, and protected marine environments.
Historic 19th-century farm building reflecting early settlement history of the Hibiscus Coast.
Scenic hiking trail through coastal forest and estuaries.
Local hub with cafes, bakeries, and small restaurants.
Protected waters offer opportunities for families to view marine life in shallow conditions.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Long Bay?
The best overall months at Long Bay are October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Long Bay?
Long Bay works with N, NNE, NE, ENE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Long Bay?
Recommended equipment sizes at Long Bay: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Long Bay suitable for?
Long Bay suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner.