Newdicks Beach (Maketu, Little Waihi)

Newdicks Beach (Maketu, Little Waihi) is an exposed beach-and-reef surf break in the Bay of Plenty, known for producing both left and right waves over a sandy bottom with scattered rocks. Wave options are strongly tied to swell direction and site elements at the eastern end/point: a N/NE (east-northeast) groundswells component is typically the most productive, and the right-hand direction off the point is often the standout when conditions align. The break can provide decent wall sections and a peeling feel on its best days. Surf reliability is the main limitation. In March—its best month—conditions can still be blown out on many days (with clean, surfable waves occurring only a minority of the time). Wind tends to matter a lot: southern to southwesterly winds generally help keep things cleaner, while northerly winds are more likely to be onshore and degrade wave quality; afternoon thermal patterns can also contribute to blow-out conditions. Safety and access are important here. The area includes rock hazards and rip currents that can be strong, especially near the rocky headlands. Access is via a private farm road with a small vehicle fee and a gate closed at night, plus no overnight camping—so planning around gate opening times is essential.