Scott Point
- Longboard, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Scott Point is an exposed beach and point break on the Far North Coast of Northland, known for producing surf with groundswells more common than wind-driven waves. It’s a wilderness-style location with very low crowds, but it’s also highly committing: conditions can be heavy, access is difficult, and services are sparse. Surf works best when a Southwest/Westerly swell lines up with offshore wind from the north-northeast. The break is described as peeling and exposed, with generally good wave quality when the wind and swell cooperate. Reports also note that the point can provide longer rides on well-angled swells. Safety is a major consideration at Scott Point. Strong rip currents are common near the point and along the beach, and the area is extremely isolated with no lifeguards. Hazards also reported include rocks at the point and shark presence, alongside unpredictable weather. Logistics matter: sources emphasize bringing communications (satellite device/PLB) due to no cell service, planning around tides, and carrying sufficient supplies (including extra fuel and water). The nearest hospital is in Kaitaia, over 100km away, so riders should treat it as a self-reliant trip.
- Offshore north-northeast winds give the cleanest surf
- Uncrowded and low-profile destination
- Point can produce longer rides on well-angled swells
- Consistently uncrowded and rarely visited
- Exposed beach/point-break setup can produce reliable surf
- Offshore winds from the north-northeast can produce clean conditions
- Works with SW/Westerly swell directions and can offer longer point rides on the right angles
- Extreme isolation with limited rescue
- Strong rip currents and exposed ocean conditions
- Unpredictable weather
- Difficult logistics (4WD/hike, tide planning, limited supplies on site)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, N
- Offshore directions
- NNE, N
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Sources describe the wind as frontal; best conditions reported with offshore wind from the north-northeast.
- Reliability
- Low reliability (spot-level reports low wind reliability).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- April
- Shadow Zones
- Under the headland in certain directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported; can handle larger swells but may become very heavy with strong currents.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach launch with plenty of space; beach access with a point-break section.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as easy by one source and moderate by another; remote access/logistics can make the overall approach difficult.
Through the year
Consistently low crowds due to difficult access.
Winter months (June to August) see more frequent rain and heavy swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach and point break that usually has waves, with an A-frame/point-break style setup. Works best with west-northwest/SW-Westerly swells paired with offshore wind from the north-northeast.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All tides reported as suitable.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastal position with limited shelter.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore from the north-northeast gives the cleanest conditions; north or northeast winds are described as offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes very heavy with strong currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Described as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride length reported; can get longer on well-angled swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Point can offer longer rides on well-angled swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Scott Point in the full forecast view.
Scott Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–18 ktsGusts 31 kts
- Direction
- W261°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2718 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–3.5 m11s period
- Temperature
- 14–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Scott Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 1.2–3.5 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Strong rip currents near the point and along the beach
- Extreme isolation and limited access
- Rocks at the point
- Unpredictable weather
- Sharks
- No cell service at the spot
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue described as limited/none for the remote area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Kaitaia, over 100km away; dial 111 for all emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism described as none.
Rules of the spot
Remote, wilderness-style riding: plan for limited rescue, bring communications, and carry sufficient supplies.
- No lifeguards on site
- Carry a satellite communication device or PLB because there is no cell service.
- Ensure you have reliable 4WD and check tide times before driving.
- Bring all supplies including extra fuel and water.
- Check tide times before committing to the approach via the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kaitaia
- Nearest Town
- Te Paki
- Nearest Airport
- Kaitaia Airport (KAT)
- Parking
- No formal parking; vehicles park on the beach near the stream entrance.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; no public transport reaches the northern tip beyond organized tourist coaches.
- Access
- Extremely difficult access reported, requiring 4WD access along Ninety Mile Beach or a long hike on the Te Paki Coastal Track; no formal parking (vehicles park on the beach near the stream entrance).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Māori
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Department of Conservation campsites at Tapotupotu Bay or Kapowairua, plus limited lodges in the area.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities nearby; Kaitaia is the nearest major supply point.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available locally at the launches; gear must be brought from farther away.
- Gear Storage
- Not available; riders must utilize their own vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- None available in the immediate region; nearest professional repairs are in Auckland.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Scott Point?
The best overall months at Scott Point are April.
Which wind directions work at Scott Point?
Scott Point works with NNE, N winds. Offshore directions are NNE, N.
What skill level is Scott Point suitable for?
Scott Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.