Manu Bay (Raglan)

Manu Bay (Raglan) is an exposed, iconic point-break known for long, high-performance waves over a boulder bottom. It’s frequently described as one of Raglan’s most famous point breaks, with exceptionally long rides when conditions line up. The break can feature multiple sections and, on its best days, can offer very long connected wave travel. The spot is strongly influenced by its rocky environment. Hazards include rocks and submerged boulders, and both entry/exit can become difficult when conditions are rough—especially on bigger swells where strong sweep currents may pull surfers down the point toward the next bay. Crowds can build quickly on good swells, and the lineup can be highly competitive, so etiquette and local awareness matter. From a wind perspective, south to southeast winds are typically offshore and help groom the wave, while west to northwest winds can turn more onshore and blow the wave out. A thermal sea breeze pattern is common in summer, though for surfing the most favorable winds are generally the offshore directions described above. Seasonally, the break is reported as working year-round with swell consistency, with June singled out as the best month. Winter months also tend to bring colder water and stronger frontal weather, so a warmer wetsuit setup (with booties for the rocky walk) is often recommended; summer water can be warmer but the rocks remain a constant hazard. For timing, beginners are advised to surf in the earlier part of the day (10am–3pm, with 10am–1pm best), while intermediate and advanced beginner sessions are commonly recommended closer to high tide.