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great barrier island
To get amongst some of the best
surf on New Zealand’s east coast you will need to go
overseas - that is by plane or fast ferry to 'The Barrier'.
This eastern bulwark protects the Hauraki Gulf and is a haven for
outdoor lovers and alternative lifestylers, as well as heaven for
surfers, divers, hunters and fishermen.
It can give you a really big high to ride perfect Pacific swells
sweeping onto a pristine white sand beach, which is exclusively
yours for the whole day. Any of the four popular east coast
beaches on ‘The Barrier’ are great for hanging with
your mates, chilling out and enjoying the freedom of the ocean.
Whangapoua Beach is only a short walk from Okiwi Airfield and is
straight across the island from the Port Fitzroy ferry terminal.
Good surf waves break over sandbanks across the mouth of the
Whangapoua Estuary producing beaut barrels in a north-easterly
swell. Entry is by paddling out through the surf or by hopping
off the south end rocks.
The other three good beach breaks are down the coast near Claris
Airfield and across the island from the other ferry terminal at
Tryphena. Awana Beach is noted for its good all year round
surfing conditions and the variety of waves resulting from
rapidly shifting sandbanks. Any respectable easterly swell will
push up fast-moving, heavy beach breaks on an incoming tide.
The largest beach on the east coast is Kaitoke boasting a number
of good beach breaks all the way down to the island at the south
end. The sweetest sand bar breaks are normally at Palmer’s
Beach at the north end and in front of the Kaitoke Creek mouth.
Medlands is the nearest surf beach to Tryphena and has good sand
bar breaks along its entire length, particularly on an incoming
tide. Shark Alley is a popular right hand break at the southern
end that rolls over rocky reefs and merges with the sand bar
breaks.
All ‘The Barrier’ surf beaches will provide you with an
enjoyable surfing experience, but care is needed when waves peak
over 2 metres.
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