Whale Bay

Best time to surf

Works year-round; best autumn-winter Mar-Aug

Shoulder season: All-year; summer smaller/lighter with warmer water

The wave

Break type: Point / reef break

Bottom: Rock (pebble/boulder; a submerged boulder hazard)

Wave direction: Left

Typical wave length: Middle point section; hollower/quicker at low tide; rippable wide-peak on small days; holds to ~12ft

Ideal swell: SW Tasman groundswell; consistent year-round

Ideal wind: Offshore SE

Working tide: Best lower tide (hollower); submerged boulder more dangerous at high tide

Difficulty & skill

Difficulty (1-5): 4

Skill level: Intermediate-to-advanced (critical, hollow take-off)

Options for a mixed group: The step up from Manu Bay; put beginners at Ngarunui and intermediates at Manu, advanced surfers here - all on the same point.

Safety & hazards

Rock/boulder bottom; a large submerged boulder hidden at high tide; cold water; currents

Ngarunui lifeguarded (Raglan SLSC, summer); points unpatrolled; Raglan medical centre; Waikato Hospital ~45-60 min

Crowd, access & conditions

Crowd & localism: Localism mild-to-strong on the point

Access & parking: Short bush walk to the cove; car park nearby

Surf schools & rental: Lessons and board/wetsuit rental in Raglan (ISA-certified coaches); beginner lessons at Ngarunui

Water temp & wetsuit: ~13-16 C winter to ~18-21 C summer; 3/2mm summer, 4/3mm winter (booties/hood in winter)

Crowds, access and local conditions change - confirm locally before you paddle out.

Around the break

For non-surfers: Raglan cafes/galleries, Bridal Veil Falls, Mt Karioi walks, black-sand beaches, Maori cultural sites

Location

Nearest hub: Raglan

-37.8340, 174.7970 (approximate)

Live conditions

Today's swell, wind and tide are a runtime layer - check the live sources: Surfline / Surf-Forecast Raglan spot pages (live swell/wind is runtime)

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