Where to surf in Tairāwhiti
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or pro surfer, here’s just a few of our favourite places to hang ten.
SOME COME FOR BEACHES IN SUMMER. THE REAL ONES SURF ALL YEAR
With waves this good, word was always going to get out. Gisborne and Tairāwhiti’s year-round swell and abundant beaches make it one of New Zealand’s surf icons.
Beach vibes come standard out here. Surfing isn’t just something you do - it’s how you live. Routine morning checks, barefoot dashes, salty hair at the dairy. In Gisborne and across Tairāwhiti, the waves shape the days. Winding up the coast along the mighty 35, you’ll find breaks tucked behind headlands and glassy lines rolling in like they booked the place. Pack your board, clear your calendar - the East Coast doesn’t do average surf days. Out of office activated.
SURF LESSONS
If you’re just starting out, this is the place. Tairāwhiti has waves - and stoke - for every level, and the local surf schools know exactly where to take you. From cruisy corners to confidence-boosting beach breaks, you’ll be up and riding before you know it. With good people, good gear, and plenty of patience, learning to surf out East feels like second nature. Salty smiles guaranteed.
