With the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, Auckland surfers get the best of both worlds. The West Coast delivers raw, powerful swells and dramatic black sand, while the North and East Coasts offer clean, rolling peelers over white sand—perfect for longboarders and learners.
Whether you’re paddling out for a sunrise session or locking in your first green wave, here’s where to find the best surf around Tāmaki Makaurau.
1. Piha Beach (West Coast)
- The Vibe: Iconic, powerful, and raw
- Best For: Intermediate to advanced surfers
- Drive from CBD: ~45 minutes
New Zealand’s most famous surf beach. Piha picks up almost any swell coming across the Tasman Sea. South Piha offers heavy beach breaks, while North Piha can deliver clean right-handers off the bar. Note: The currents here are strong—always surf between the flags if you’re developing your confidence.
2. Te Arai Point & Forestry Beach (East Coast / Rodney)
- The Vibe: Pristine white sand, crystal-clear water, and consistent waves
- Best For: All levels (great for longboards and learners)
- Drive from CBD: ~75 minutes
If the West Coast is blowing out with strong westerly winds, head up the east coast. Te Arai Point is Auckland’s most consistent east coast break, offering clean, forgiving waves and a beautiful regional park backdrop. Just up the sand sits Forestry Beach, known for punchy peaks.
3. Muriwai Beach & Māori Bay (West Coast)
- The Vibe: Endless black sand beach break
- Best For: Beginner to advanced surfers
- Drive from CBD: ~40 minutes
Muriwai’s long open coastline offers plenty of peaks, meaning you can almost always find a wave to yourself. Tucked just south around the headland is Māori Bay, a sheltered cove with a rocky point break that fires on a decent swell.
4. Karekare Beach (West Coast)
- The Vibe: Secluded, moody, and heavy
- Best For: Experienced surfers
- Drive from CBD: ~50 minutes
Located just south of Piha, Karekare is quieter and untamed. It holds a solid swell and delivers hollow, powerful beach breaks for experienced surfers comfortable with strong rips and isolated conditions.
5. Omaha Beach (East Coast)
- The Vibe: Sheltered beach break & river mouth
- Best For: Beginners & longboarders
- Drive from CBD: ~60 minutes
When a decent easterly swell hits, Omaha produces fun, rolling waves across a white-sand beach. The sandspit at the southern end near the estuary mouth often forms clean, long-riding banks.
6. Orewa Beach (Hibiscus Coast)
- The Vibe: Gentle, mellow waves
- Best For: Beginners & foamies
- Drive from CBD: ~35 minutes
Located just half an hour north, Orewa needs a solid easterly swell to activate, but when it’s on, it provides gentle, forgiving waves ideal for soft-top boards, kids, and anyone taking their very first lesson.
How to Fuel a Surf Session
Surfing demands serious paddle endurance and upper-body power. A heavy breakfast right before paddling out can leave you feeling sluggish, so high-density, slow-burning plant fats are key for long sessions in the lineup.
Here’s how the Forty Thieves team fuels up for a surf:
- Pre-Paddle Fuel (30 mins before): A thick slice of sourdough spread with Forty Thieves Peanut Butter Not-Too-Smooth and banana. High-oleic peanuts provide sustained monounsaturated fats that keep your arms moving for 2+ hours in the water.
- Post-Surf Reset: A cold smoothie blended with oats, frozen banana, a dash of plant milk, and two big spoonfuls of Forty Thieves SuperFood Hemp or Forty Thieves SuperFood Chocolate to rebuild glycogen and repair muscle tissue.
