Stingray Bay

Stingray Bay is a small, rocky reef and point break on Hawke’s Bay’s coast, producing fast, hollow waves where barrels are often possible for surfers who know how to work the lineup. The spot is described as having an exposed character overall, with wave shape strongly influenced by offshore wind directions. Wave performance is commonly linked to southeast-to-easterly swell setups (with a working swell direction window that includes Northeast, East, and Southeast) and tends to show its best form when conditions are clean and the swell connects well. Reported optimal swell height is about 0.5 to 2.0 meters, and rides can range from short bursts to longer runs when the wave holds. Safety is a major consideration here: rocky sections, submerged reef, rips/occasional rip currents near the point during larger swells, and sharks are all specifically called out. Entry and exit involve slippery rocks, so using booties is strongly recommended, and surf timing matters because high tide can make the wave fat or lead to wash-over behavior. For seasonal timing, May is highlighted as the best month for clean surf, with broader wind/swell windows including the colder months. Localism is noted (it can be more favored by locals during good conditions), and weekends can draw more attention even if the spot is not described as typically crowded.