SURF MAHIA PENINSULA SURFING
Taranaki The New Zealand Surf Capital
New Zealand Surf Introduction
Surf Mahia Peninsula is one of the east coast ‘hidden treasures’
with excellent swells unleashing on both sides of the triangular
peninsula . Camp yourself at Mahia or Opoutama camps and you can
follow the waves to Diners Beach on the east coast, or other hot
spots on the north and west coasts.
Diners (30 km from Mahia Camp) surfs well in a light east or south-east
swell and is better if the other Mahia breaks are mellow. The Spit
is closer to Mahia and creates a left-hander along the reef in a
north-east swell. Look along the coast and towards Table Cape and
you will see plenty of reef breaks
Mahanga Beach is relatively sheltered on the northern coastline
with Excellent beach and reef breaks on all tides, is suitable for
less experienced surfers. Oputama Beach is well protected and also
Excellent for beginners who want to learn on small southerly swells.
Waikokopu Bay and Point Annihilation
(40 kms east of Wairoa) are where the big action begins in 2 metre
south swells. It can be a long paddle out to the line up, but this
right reef break gives a long ride into a small bay. face towards
Oputama from the Point car park and you will spot a break called
Tracks, where the railway line runs with the coastline. Tracks is
a right-hand point break, less dramatic than the Point, and easier
to ride.
Waikokopu is a reef break that really delivers in big southerly
swells. Stones is an apt description as the pounding waves actually
move boulders around on the seabed in a big swell. The Stones holds
the ultimate stand-up barrels on this coast but the rugged reefs
show no mercy to the young and inexperienced.
Black Reef (35 kms east of Wairoa) has the consistent left and right-hand
reef breaks, which are best at low tide in a moderate south swell.