Orere Point
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Orere Point is a very sheltered surfing spot on Auckland’s east coast that rarely turns into rideable surf, but can deliver standout waves when the right storm swell arrives. Multiple sources emphasize that it is mostly flat or very small most of the time, with rideable days occurring only occasionally. When large NE/easterly swells wrap into the area (often associated with winter storms), the point can produce hollow, fast, and powerful waves—commonly described as world-class. Ride lengths are typically in the medium range (about 50–150 m), with much longer rides reported on rare exceptional days. Wind conditions are highly variable: west influence is generally the most favorable, helping groom the surface, while clean conditions are uncommon. Even when wind is favorable, surf still depends on the swell arriving with enough energy to function at this sheltered location. Safety planning is essential. The spot has a known hazard profile including rocks and urchins, and reports also include rips and sharks. There are no on-site lifeguards reported, so sessions should be self-sufficient and equipment-appropriate (especially booties), and riders should check forecasts specifically for the large easterly/NE swell window before committing.
- World-class hollow right/fast surf when the rare big NE swell window hits.
- West wind can help groom/offshore.
- Sheltered location—requires correctly sized easterly swell to function.
- When it works, waves can be world-class: hollow, fast, and powerful.
- West winds are typically favorable for grooming/offshore conditions.
- Sheltered point break can be gentler than more exposed stretches when conditions align.
- Extremely infrequent rideable surf (reported around ~5 days/year).
- Mostly small/flat unless the swell window is met.
- Unsupervised water with no lifeguards reported.
- Hazards include rocks, urchins, rips, and sharks.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- WSW
- Wind Range
- 8–18 kts
- Reliability
- Low (mostly small winds; very infrequent clean conditions).
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as mostly small winds; blown conditions occur more than clean.
- Best Months
- July
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs and hills to the west can create wind shadows near the shore.
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May · Dir: E, ENE, ESE, NE · Light afternoon sea breezes/thermal reinforcement are reported in summer; regional thermal windows typically build from late morning into late afternoon.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand/mixed composition reported across sources.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat — Usually very small/flat; can become much bigger during winter storms.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow beach front with some grass areas near the settlement.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy access/launch noted by one provider.
Through the year
Quiet year-round; busier during summer holidays with families and campers.
Winter months see higher rainfall and more frequent storm swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sheltered point break that rarely produces rideable waves (reported around ~5 days/year). When large NE/easterly storm swells arrive, it can produce world-class right (and sometimes left) waves.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NE
- Swell Height
- 4–6 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All-tides noted; another source also indicates effectiveness around mid tide.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Very sheltered location; requires a significant easterly swell wrap to function reliably.
- Wind Effect
- West winds are typically best/offshore and help groom; SW offshore also favorable.
- Bigger Swell
- Gets big mostly during storms; only becomes rideable when the wider coast is maxed out with heavy swell.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Generally very small and lacks power due to shelter; when the right big swell arrives, quality can reach world-class.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Can be powerful in the rare big, correctly sourced swell window.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — World-class, hollow waves when large NE swells arrive; otherwise it tends to stay very small/surfy-flat.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast when conditions come through; otherwise rides may be short due to shelter.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normally 50–150 m; up to 300–500 m reported on rare, exceptional days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- 50–150 m normally; 300–500 m on rare good days. (When it works.)
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Orere Point in the full forecast view.
Orere Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–15 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- W267°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2915 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.9 m3s period
- Temperature
- 10–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Orere Point is forecast for daytime winds of 4–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 34 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
- rocks
- urchins
- rips
- sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported on-site.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site lifeguards; rescue coverage is regional and response times can vary.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Thames or Auckland; dial 111 for police, fire, or ambulance.
Rules of the spot
No dogs allowed; area has fisheries/rangers presence.
- no dogs allowed
- fisheries and rangers present
- Check the forecast for large easterly swells; otherwise conditions are usually flat.
- Wear booties to protect against urchins and rocks.
- Be alert for rips and unguarded surf.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Auckland
- Nearest Town
- Clevedon
- Nearest Airport
- Auckland Airport (AKL)
- Parking
- No parking fee; public parking available near the beach access and holiday park (located within a regional park).
- Public Transport
- Public transport is extremely limited; access is mostly by private vehicle for reaching the coast and transporting equipment.
- Access
- From Auckland, drive south on the Southern Motorway, exit at Papakura, continue through Clevedon and Kawakawa Bay, then follow signs to Orere Point; walking access is under 5 minutes. Alternative access: via Howard Road from Clevedon or Kaiaua.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — A holiday park is directly adjacent to the beach area.
- Food & Drink
- A local dairy/general store is available in the settlement.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A tranquil coastal area with parks and nearby day-trip attractions; the beach environment is commonly associated with camping and low-key recreation.
A coastal farm park with mountain biking, walking tracks, and Māori history.
Large thermally heated mineral pools just south of the region.
A nearby hub for cafes and local produce.
Educational center focused on migratory birds that visit the Firth of Thames.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Orere Point?
The best overall months at Orere Point are July, June, August. The best wind months are July.
Which wind directions work at Orere Point?
Orere Point works with W winds. Offshore directions are WSW.
What skill level is Orere Point suitable for?
Orere Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.