Ahipara
Northland, New Zealand
Beach breakIntermediate
At the southern end of 90 Mile Beach in Northland, Ahipara is a small Māori community where massive Tasman Sea swells wrap around Reef Point and create long, powerful left-hand waves, one of New Zealand's legendary surf destinations in one of its most culturally significant landscapes.
Typical Conditions
The Surf Window
Swell Window
OptimalN (0°)
WindowW–E (270°–90°)
Size–W 1.5–3m at 14–18s
Wind
SE
Light to E under 15 knots
Tide
Mid tide
LowMidHigh
Season
Apr–Sep
JFMAMJJASOND
The Wave
Type
Reef and point break
Bottom
Rock reef
Shape
Long left-hander off the reef, multiple sections
Length
150–400m
Skill Level
- •Who it's for: Advanced surfers
- •Why: Powerful, long left on a rocky reef requires experience in reading complex, multi-section waves
Hazards
- •Rock reef throughout, careful entry and exit
- •Rip currents along the reef
- •Remote community, show cultural respect
Local Tips
- •Ahipara is a predominantly Māori community, acknowledge this and behave accordingly
- •The Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē (90 Mile Beach) stretches north for 88km, one of the world's great beach drives
- •Reef Point at low tide reveals extraordinary rock formations, explore on flat days
Location
-35.1333, 173.1583