Shakespear Bay
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Shakespear Bay is an Auckland-area riding spot within Shakespear Regional Park, positioned to catch S/SSW/SW wind. The spot is generally described as clean water with a mix of flat and chop, making it suitable for freeriding when the conditions and tide line up. For kitesurfing, the strongest and most consistent sessions are reported in winter (July and August), with SW winds frequently reaching around 25 knots. Overall wind is typically in the 15–30 knot range depending on conditions, and summer thermals can add an extra boost (often described as roughly 15–20 knots) but may also increase crowding. Launch and navigation involve natural hazards: rocks are reported near the ends of the bay, and shells can be present on the beach. Because of this, riders are advised to use appropriate protective gear (including foot protection/booties when shells are sharp) and to plan around tidal changes, since some nearshore areas can become shallower. Park and safety rules matter here: kitesurfing access may be governed by regional park bylaws, designated launch areas, and seasonal zone restrictions; in some cases a permit or local membership may be required. Plan around park gate closing times (gates are locked at night) and treat the lack of on-site rescue/lifeguards as a reason to ride prepared and within your ability.
- Best sessions commonly in July and August with strong SW winds
- Rideable mix of flat water and rolling chop across the bay
- Within Shakespear Regional Park with defined access via Whangaparaoa Road
- Strong South-Westerly wind seasons with commonly ideal speeds in winter
- Clean water reported with a mix of flat and choppy sections depending on where you ride
- Deep enough at the main beach for riding/foiling (where reported), enabling sessions across tides
- Rocks and shells at the edges/areas of the bay create launch and safety hazards
- Winter cold can be substantial (cold air and water temperatures)
- Summer conditions can be busy when thermals bring extra wind
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Sources describe winds as S/SSW/SW with either thermal and/or frontal influence; winter performance is associated with SW systems and stronger SW speeds.
- Reliability
- high in winter (June–August); moderate in summer when thermals occur
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Wind can be gusty, especially when the wind has a stronger westerly component.
- Best Months
- July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Chop is commonly described as present; surfing sources describe small wave size.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Flat sections exist closer in / at the right tide, with rolling chop farther out.
- Launch
- Medium — Medium-sized beach with a gradual slope; described as suitable for self-launch.
Through the year
Summer thermals can bring crowds; winter is generally less crowded with kiters most active in winter and spring.
Winter (June to August) is generally wetter and more prone to heavy storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water with rolling chop depending on tide and where you ride in the bay. Best performance is with South-Westerly wind (S/SSW/SW), with strong SW sessions commonly occurring in winter.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Popular for freeride and bump-and-jump sessions during SW winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Well-suited to wingfoiling due to depth at the main beach.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Minimum depth reported as 1.5 meters.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Shakespear Bay in the full forecast view.
Shakespear Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- W261°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2716 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.8 m4s period
- Temperature
- 11–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Shakespear Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.1–0.8 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- Tidal shallows (nearshore areas/shallows at certain tides)
- Shells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard presence is reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level rescue availability is reported as no.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 111; regional emergency services apply. Rescue availability is reported as no at the spot.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism indicators were found in the provided spot-level safety info.
Rules of the spot
Check whether kitesurfing is allowed at the spot (you may need a special permit or local membership) and follow park/regional rules including staying clear of swimmers and using designated launch areas when applicable.
- Kitesurfing zones apply during peak summer months
- Park gate access hours apply (gates locked at night)
- Kitesurfing permits may be required
- Best kitesurfing is with wind coming from S, SSW and SW.
- Winter SW can be around 25 knots and is commonly best; thermals in summer can increase wind but may bring crowds.
- Follow park access hours (park gates locked at night) and check closing times.
- Booties are recommended due to sharp shells in some areas.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Auckland (Hibiscus and Bays suburb)
- Nearest Town
- Whangaparaoa
- Parking
- Parking available within Shakespear Regional Park near beach access points.
- Access
- Located within Shakespear Regional Park; access via Whangaparaoa Road.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available within Shakespear Regional Park (booking required) and accommodation options exist in nearby towns such as Whangaparaoa and Gulf Harbour.
- Food & Drink
- No cafes inside the park; nearest shops and cafes are in Gulf Harbour.
- Equipment Rental:
- No on-site rentals available on the beach according to spot-level info.
- Gear Storage
- No public gear storage facilities reported at the launches.
- Gear Repair
- No on-site repair available; specialized repair services are available in the wider Auckland area.
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 Shakespear Bay?
The best overall months at Shakespear Bay are July, August.
Which wind directions work at Shakespear Bay?
Shakespear Bay works with S, SSW, SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Shakespear Bay?
Recommended equipment sizes at Shakespear Bay: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Shakespear Bay suitable for?
Shakespear Bay suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.