World › New Zealand › Waikato › Clark Island
Clark Island 55.6
#4042 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Waikato · near Thames
Very consistent, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score55.6 /100
Surfable days89% of the year
Clean days5% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell9% period 11 s+
Typical size1.1 m 3.5 ft median
Water18°C a 3/2 wetsuit
Best time to surf Clark Island
The best time to surf Clark Island is April, May, August. It rarely works. In May the water sits around 18°C, so pack a 3/2 wetsuit, and the typical wave is 1.1 m. The nearest airport is HLZ (88 km) and the nearest town is Thames (28 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 90% | 7% | 0.9 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Feb | 94% | 3% | 1.2 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Mar | 97% | 4% | 1.2 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Apr | 89% | 9% | 1.0 m | 19°C | 2mm |
| May | 90% | 11% | 1.1 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Jun | 90% | 1% | 1.1 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Jul | 92% | 5% | 1.2 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 84% | 9% | 1.2 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 88% | 6% | 1.1 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 76% | 2% | 0.9 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 88% | 1% | 0.9 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 91% | 4% | 0.9 m | 20°C | 2mm |
Why 55.6
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%
2.7
Groundswell 12%
1.5
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
2.4
Water comfort 10%
3.4
Access 10%
8.2
The detail
Faces 85° with 47% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 60% of days. Mean peak period 8.6 s. Days over 3 m: 2%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 60%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -37.213, 175.893 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Donut Island🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.5Whangamata Estuary🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.6Opotere🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.6Homunga Bay🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.7
Compare Clark Island 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 MayFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.