World › New Zealand › Otago › Papatowai
Papatowai 83.2
#1559 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Otago · near Gore
Works almost every day, no off season, thick rubber.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score83.2 /100
Surfable days98% of the year
Clean days40% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell49% period 11 s+
Typical size1.7 m 5.5 ft median
Water13°C a 5/4 with boots and hood
Best time to surf Papatowai
The best time to surf Papatowai is April, May, September. The season runs Mar to May. In September the water sits around 11°C, so pack a 5/4 with boots and hood, and the typical wave is 1.8 m. The nearest airport is DUD (92 km) and the nearest town is Gore (67 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 99% | 35% | 1.5 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 100% | 29% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Mar | 100% | 44% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Apr | 99% | 54% | 1.8 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| May | 96% | 57% | 1.7 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Jun | 96% | 39% | 1.9 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jul | 97% | 34% | 1.8 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| Aug | 100% | 40% | 1.8 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| Sep | 95% | 66% | 1.8 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| Oct | 99% | 32% | 1.8 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| Nov | 98% | 28% | 1.5 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Dec | 100% | 23% | 1.5 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
Why 83.2
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%
23.8
Groundswell 12%
9.7
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.9
Water comfort 10%
0.0
Access 10%
6.7
The detail
Faces 145° with 47% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 81% of days. Mean peak period 10.8 s. Days over 3 m: 6%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 14%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -46.578, 169.473 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Blue Tops🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 86.0Brighton Beach🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 86.5Brighton🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 85.5Blackhead🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 82.5
Compare Papatowai 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 SeptemberFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.