World › New Zealand › Gisborne District › Big River
Big River 69.3
#2562 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Gisborne District · near Gisborne
Works almost every day, no off season, a mission to reach.
Works all yearRemoteIntermediate
Surf score69.3 /100
Surfable days98% of the year
Clean days23% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell31% period 11 s+
Typical size1.5 m 5.0 ft median
Water16°C a 3/2 wetsuit
Best time to surf Big River
The best time to surf Big River is April, August, September. It rarely works. In August the water sits around 12°C, so pack a 5/4 with boots and hood, and the typical wave is 1.6 m. The nearest airport is HLZ (246 km) and the nearest town is Gisborne (8 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 18% | 1.3 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Feb | 100% | 17% | 1.5 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Mar | 100% | 16% | 1.6 m | 19°C | 3/2 |
| Apr | 98% | 31% | 1.6 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
| May | 99% | 28% | 1.6 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Jun | 97% | 23% | 1.7 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Jul | 98% | 29% | 1.7 m | 13°C | 5/4 |
| Aug | 98% | 34% | 1.6 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Sep | 98% | 30% | 1.6 m | 13°C | 5/4 |
| Oct | 99% | 27% | 1.5 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 97% | 8% | 1.2 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 98% | 13% | 1.4 m | 19°C | 2mm |
Why 69.3
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
13.5
Groundswell 12%
6.1
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.3
Water comfort 10%
2.3
Access 10%
5.2
The detail
Faces 115° with 33% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 73% of days. Mean peak period 10.4 s. Days over 3 m: 5%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 25%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -38.712, 177.947 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
The pipe (midway beach)🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 69.2Gizzy Pipe🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 69.2Roberts rd🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 67.9Cliffs🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 66.2
Compare Big River with 5,700 other spots
Filters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.
Open the interactive profileMore spots good in AugustFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.