Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
South of Raglan
The surf spots near Raglan - Indicators, Whale Bay and Manu Bay - are internationally
famous for their point breaks. Bruce Brown's classic 1964 wave-chaser film
The Endless
Summer
features Manu Bay.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach sits at the mouth of the harbour, 4km southwest of Raglan down Riria
Kereopa Memorial Dr. It's popular for
windsurfing
and
kitesurfing
, but strong currents make it
extremely treacherous for swimmers.
Ngarunui Beach
Less than 1km south of Ocean Beach, Ngarunui Beach is a great for grommets learning to
surf
. On the clifftop is a clubhouse for the volunteer lifeguards who patrol part of the
black-sand beach from late October until April. This is the only beach with lifeguards, and
is the best ocean beach for
swimming
.
WORTH A TRIP
RUAPEKE BEACH
Whale Bay marks the end of the sealed road, but a gravel road continues to the wild spans of Ruapuke Beach,
22km from Raglan. It's dangerous for swimmers here, but popular with surfcasting fisherfolk. The gravel road
continues to Mt Karioi and rejoins the inland road at Te Mata.
Manu Bay
A 2.5km journey from Ngarunui Beach will bring you to Manu Bay, a legendary
surf spot
said to have the longest left-hand break in the world. The elongated uniform waves are
created by the angle at which the Tasman Sea swell meets the coastline (it works best in a
southwesterly swell).
Sleeping
Solscape
HOSTEL, CABINS
$
