Best surf beaches in New Zealand, 2026
25 surf beaches in New Zealand that score highest on the OnlyBeaches Index for what matters to surf travellers.How we rank →
1OBI 7.5+
Ahipara Beach
Ahipara, New Zealand
Southern gateway to Ninety Mile Beach with reliable surf and broad sand.
2OBI 7.5+
Ahu Ahu Beach
Ōakura, New Zealand
Wild black-sand and reef coastline just south of Ōakura with strong local surf culture.
3OBI 7.5+
Akatore Beach
Taieri Mouth, New Zealand
A quiet coast-road beach south of Taieri Mouth with low visitor density.
4OBI 7.5+
Albatross Point Beach
Kawhia South Coast, New Zealand
Rugged exposed beach below striking coastal cliffs on the remote Kāwhia south coast.
5OBI 7.5+
Anawhata Beach
Anawhata, New Zealand
Wild black-sand beach with limited access and strong local-adventure appeal.
6OBI 7.5+
Awana Beach
Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Beautiful east-coast Great Barrier beach with surf and low crowds.
7OBI 7.5+
Back Beach
New Plymouth, New Zealand
Dramatic black-sand surf beach with views of Paritutu and the Sugar Loaf Islands.
8OBI 7.5+
Baylys Beach
Dargaville, New Zealand
Wild Ripiro Beach access point with a real settlement identity and huge west-coast scale.
Blackhead Beach
Dunedin, New Zealand
A rugged local beach near basalt cliffs and coastal walking areas.
10OBI 7.5+
Blaketown Beach
Greymouth, New Zealand
Distinct Greymouth beach by the river mouth and breakwater, separate from Cobden.
11OBI 7.5+
Bowentown Beach
Bowentown, New Zealand
Scenic beach at the southern end of Waihi Beach with dunes, headland walks and open-coast surf.
Bull Creek Beach
Milton, New Zealand
A remote-feeling Clutha coast beach with strong local-camping and wild-surf appeal.
13OBI 7.5+
Cape Foulwind Beach
Cape Foulwind, New Zealand
A rugged open-coast beach near Cape Foulwind, separate from Tauranga Bay.
14OBI 7.5+
Castlecliff Beach
Whanganui, New Zealand
Whanganui’s main ocean beach with surf, dunes and easy city access.
15OBI 7.5+
Castlepoint Beach
Castlepoint, New Zealand
Wairarapa’s iconic beach beneath Castle Rock and the lighthouse reserve.
16OBI 7.5+
Chrystalls Beach
Milton, New Zealand
A broad, less-developed beach on the Clutha coast with strong wild-coast character.
17OBI 7.5+
Clarence River Mouth Beach
Kaikōura, New Zealand
Wild river-mouth beach marking the northern Kaikōura coast.
18OBI 7.5+
Coastlands Beach
Whakatāne, New Zealand
Accessible Whakatāne-area surf beach with dunes and long walking space.
19OBI 7.5+
Cobden Beach
Greymouth, New Zealand
Greymouth’s main surf beach with easy town access and strong local identity.
Colac Bay Beach
Colac Bay / Ōraka, New Zealand
Recognised south-coast surf beach with a broad bay setting and strong regional identity.
Curio Bay Beach
Waikawa, New Zealand
Iconic Catlins coast beach beside the fossil forest and frequent wildlife encounters.
22OBI 7.5+
Fitzroy Beach
New Plymouth, New Zealand
New Plymouth’s best-known surf beach with strong visitor demand and easy city access.
Forestry Beach
Mangawhai, New Zealand
Local surf beach south of Te Arai that is commonly underrepresented in generic datasets.
Glinks Gully Beach
Glinks Gully, New Zealand
Local west-coast beach settlement on Ripiro Beach, distinct from Baylys Beach.
Gore Bay
Cheviot, New Zealand
A North Canterbury beach village backed by the distinctive Cathedral Cliffs landscape.