The Surf Window

Mangamaunu

Kaikōura, New Zealand

Point breakIntermediate

On the Kaikōura Coast in New Zealand's South Island, Mangamaunu is a legendary right-hand point break where long-period Southern Ocean swells peel along a kelp-lined rock shelf with snow-capped Kaikōura Ranges as backdrop, one of New Zealand's great surf experiences.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size–S 1.5–3m at 14–18s

Wind

NW

Light to N under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Apr–Sep

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Point break

Bottom

Rock and kelp

Shape

Long right-hander, multiple sections

Length

200–400m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate to advanced
  • •Why: Long point with power and kelp requires experience in navigating complex wave sections

Hazards

  • •Kelp beds tangle around fins and leashes
  • •Rocky point entry and exit
  • •Cold water, 10–15°C

Local Tips

  • •Mangamaunu is 14km north of Kaikōura on SH1, unmistakable from the road
  • •Kaikōura's sperm whale and dolphin watching is world-class, combine with surfing
  • •Crayfish (lobster) from the roadside stalls along the Kaikōura coast is extraordinary

Location

Map showing the location of Mangamaunu in Kaikōura, New Zealand

-42.3667, 173.6833