Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Te Arai Point is an exposed sandy beach break on the North Island’s east coast, known for consistent surf and a “swell magnet” reputation. Waves can form along the entire beach with left and right-hand options, and the overall character is often described as powerful with a hollow feel. For surfing, the spot is generally most favorable when winds are offshore from the west-southwest (also noted as West-Northwest being favorable), which helps groom the waves. Swell direction is typically northeast, and the spot can hold substantial winter swell. When swells get very large (over about 2.5 meters), conditions may close out. Safety is a central consideration. Rip currents are reported, and rocks at the northern end of the beach near the point can create hazards. There are also occasional shark sightings, and the surf is best treated with caution and good situational awareness. Local guidance emphasizes respecting other surfers and surf etiquette, and never going in alone. In terms of timing and comfort, the strongest emphasis from sources is on late summer into early summer for best months, with water temperatures varying across the year. Wetsuit thickness guidance points to a thinner summer setup and thicker winter protection, and the beach/parking setup makes it straightforward to access from the road with parking at the end of Te Arai Point Road (noting gravel portions on the access route).
- Reliable, consistent beach break with multiple peaks
- Offshore West-Southwest winds groom conditions
- Northeast swell is a common best-direction
- Powerful, hollow wave character; may close out on very large swells
- Highly consistent east-coast beach break with multiple peaks and left/right options
- Sand bottom and generally good wave quality when winds set up offshore
- Beginners can find surfable waves, though conditions can still be challenging
- Exposed conditions with powerful, hollow surf that can become very heavy in winter
- Rip currents are present
- Rocks near the northern end and occasional shark sightings add risk
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
- Shadow Zones
- Directly behind the headland (the Point) during southerly winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Surf can be powerful; one source describes medium wave size with option for very large swells in winter.
- Launch
- Medium — White sandy beach on the north side of Te Arai Point; wide sandy beach with ample space for equipment.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
High during summer school holidays (December–January) and weekends; otherwise unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up.
Winter months (June to August) can bring more frequent rain and larger swells; the wettest period is winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed spot that can be challenging for kitesurfing due to the prevalence of offshore winds; best suited for experienced riders in cross-shore conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Exposed sandy beach break with reliable peaks along the beach and left/right waves. The spot is described as a swell magnet with consistent surf; winter can become very powerful.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, ESE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed — Shelter is limited overall; there is some semi-sheltered breaking near the point compared with the wider beach.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the West-Southwest (and favorable West-Northwest conditions) groom the waves; southwest offshore improves conditions. Westerly/southwesterly patterns can still influence surf quality, but rideable wind windows typically need northeasterly or easterly flow.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold large, powerful swells in winter; may close out on very large swells over 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as good/consistent; water and bottom are generally favorable and sandy.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Often described as powerful and hollow; other notes describe a peeling shape when conditions set up well.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Waves can provide functional rides often between 50 and 100 meters depending on sandbar configuration.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Functional rides often between 50 and 100 meters depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast) in the full forecast view.
Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–20 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- W262°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2920 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.9 m5s period
- Temperature
- 10–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.2–0.9 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Rip currents
- Rocks at the northern end
- Sharks
- Sun exposure
- Sharks (occasional sightings)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number is 111; nearest major hospital is in Auckland (clinics in Wellsford).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Know the rules and respect the locals; standard right-of-way rules apply. Respect surfers near the point.
- Never surf alone
- Check the forecast before going
- Respect the locals and surfers near the point
- Check the sandbars as they shift after heavy storms
- The beach can be very busy on weekends due to proximity to Auckland
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Auckland
- Nearest Town
- Wellsford
- Nearest Airport
- Auckland Airport (AKL)
- Parking
- Parking available at Pacific Road with pedestrian access over dunes; CSC parking area for certified self-contained vehicles (3-night stays). Also noted: large public car park at the end of Te Arai Point Road.
- Access
- From Auckland, head north on State Highway 1 over Auckland Harbour Bridge. Continue through Warkworth, turn right onto Wayby Valley Road before Wellsford, then right onto Whangaripo Valley Road, first left onto Waiteitei Road, right onto Mangawhai Road, then right onto Te Arai Point Road to the beach on the north side of the point.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Māori
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Camping is available at the regional park (booking required); holiday rentals in nearby Mangawhai.
- Food & Drink
- No shops at the beach; closest amenities are in Mangawhai or Tomarata.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through local surf schools often based at the car park.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to specific school facilities and private accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repairs available locally; specialized kite/wing repairs typically require a trip to 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 Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast)?
The best overall months at Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, December.
Which wind directions work at Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast)?
Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast) works with SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast) suitable for?
Te Arai Point (Rodney Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced to Expert · Surfing: Beginner.