Te Ikaamaru Bay
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Ikaamaru Bay is a fairly exposed beach-break on Wellington’s remote west coast, known for fairly consistent surf that can work across the year. The bottom is sandy, and surfers can generally find workable conditions at all tides, with mid-tide usually producing the best beach-break shape. Wind plays a big role: southeast winds are offshore and tend to groom the wave faces, while northwest winds are more likely to be onshore. Surf performance is also tied to swell quality—long-period west swells are noted as producing the best shapes. With the right setup, the spot offers both lefts and rights, but rides are typically short and can feel punchy on a good swell. The main challenge is getting there. Access is extremely difficult and is typically by boat, or by a long hike from Makara Beach along the coastline; vehicle access is restricted via the wind farm/private land. There are no on-site facilities, and visitors are advised to bring all necessary supplies, as nothing is available at the bay. Safety conditions are serious due to the combination of exposure, rocks at both ends of the bay, and rip currents that can strengthen during larger west swells. The location is remote with no immediate assistance and no cell coverage reported; help is a significant distance away at Makara Beach. Overall suitability is best for intermediate surfers who are comfortable managing wilderness access and ocean-current risks.
- Offshore southeast winds support cleaner wave faces
- Sand-bottom beach break with consistent year-round surf
- Remote, wilderness-style access with limited support
- Fairly consistent surf and a beach-break setup that can work year-round.
- Offshore southeast winds tend to groom the wave faces.
- Sand bottom and surfable conditions across tides (with mid-tide typically best).
- Known for quality and remoteness, typically keeping crowd levels low despite occasional boat-based visitors.
- Extremely difficult remote access (often by boat or a long hike).
- No lifeguards and limited immediate rescue on a remote coastline.
- Hazards include rocks and rip currents, particularly with larger swells.
- No on-site facilities or services for food/supplies; no local equipment rental.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind Type noted as frontal influence.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Gustiness described as heavy-gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs and hills around the bay can create wind shadows and near-shore turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach launch area; access to the beach itself is restricted (by boat or foot traffic).
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty reported as moderate.
Through the year
Usually quiet due to difficult access, but can see boat-based crowds on weekend swells.
Winter months (June to August) are the wettest and most prone to heavy storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fairly exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf that can work year-round, with lefts and rights.
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide usually gives the best beach-break shape.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Noted as semi-sheltered by the bay’s setting, though the spot is still fairly exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds are offshore and groom the wave faces; northwest winds are directly onshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Wave shape described as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, short rides that can be punchy on a good swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, short rides; punchy on a good swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Te Ikaamaru Bay in the full forecast view.
Te Ikaamaru Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–27 ktsGusts 49 kts
- Direction
- NW326°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2727 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.7 m6s period
- Temperature
- 11–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Te Ikaamaru Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 7–27 kts, peaking around 27 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 49 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.0–2.7 m with a period of about 6s. 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 at both ends of the bay
- Rip currents (especially during larger swells)
- Remote location with no immediate assistance
- No cell coverage
- Isolation
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional rescue oversight exists, but the western coastline is remote with limited immediate shore-based rescue infrastructure. Spot-level rescue not available.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest help is at Makara Beach; emergency number is 111 and Wellington Hospital (Newtown) is the nearest major emergency medical facility.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Generally low-friction due to the remote access limiting day-to-day crowd dynamics.
Rules of the spot
No vehicle access via the wind farm or private land without specific permission.
- Private land access restrictions
- No vehicle access to beach
- Access is best via boat from Mana or Makara, or by a long hike from Makara Beach.
- Bring all necessary supplies—there is nothing at the bay.
- Check the swell period; long period west swells produce the best shapes.
- The beach break works best around mid-tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Wellington
- Nearest Town
- Makara
- Parking
- Parking available at Makara Beach; no parking available at Te Ikaamaru Bay.
- Access
- Extremely difficult. Primarily reached by boat, or via a roughly 2 to 3-hour hike from Makara Beach along the coastline. Vehicle access through the West Wind wind farm is restricted.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Camping is possible but there are no formal facilities; most visitors stay in Wellington city.
- Food & Drink
- None available; visitors must bring their own water and food.
- Equipment Rental:
- None available locally.
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 Ikaamaru Bay?
The best overall months at Te Ikaamaru Bay are January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Te Ikaamaru Bay?
Te Ikaamaru Bay works with SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What skill level is Te Ikaamaru Bay suitable for?
Te Ikaamaru Bay suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.