World › New Zealand › Waikato › Pauanui
Pauanui 56.1
#3992 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 score56.1 /100
Surfable days88% of the year
Clean days6% 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 Pauanui
The best time to surf Pauanui 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 AKL (96 km) and the nearest town is Thames (29 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 90% | 8% | 0.9 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Feb | 93% | 6% | 1.2 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Mar | 97% | 7% | 1.2 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Apr | 91% | 11% | 1.0 m | 19°C | 2mm |
| May | 86% | 13% | 1.1 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Jun | 89% | 2% | 1.1 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
| Jul | 92% | 6% | 1.2 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 85% | 10% | 1.2 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 85% | 7% | 1.1 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 77% | 2% | 0.9 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 86% | 1% | 0.9 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 90% | 4% | 0.9 m | 20°C | 2mm |
Why 56.1
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%
3.3
Groundswell 12%
1.4
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
2.4
Water comfort 10%
3.6
Access 10%
8.0
The detail
Faces 61° with 47% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 70% 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 -37.018, 175.870 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Tairua🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 56.5Opotere🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.6Hot water Beach🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 56.0Whangamata Estuary🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.6
Compare Pauanui 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.