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Waikawau Bay 48.0
#4592 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Waikato · near Thames
Very consistent, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearBeginner friendlyBeginner
Surf score48.0 /100
Surfable days73% of the year
Clean days4% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell7% period 11 s+
Typical size0.8 m 2.7 ft median
Water18°C a 3/2 wetsuit
Best time to surf Waikawau Bay
The best time to surf Waikawau Bay is April, May, August. It rarely works. In April the water sits around 20°C, so pack a 2 mm shorty, and the typical wave is 0.8 m. The nearest airport is AKL (80 km) and the nearest town is Thames (60 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 68% | 4% | 0.7 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Feb | 87% | 3% | 0.9 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Mar | 89% | 2% | 0.9 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Apr | 74% | 7% | 0.8 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| May | 76% | 7% | 0.9 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Jun | 75% | 1% | 0.9 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
| Jul | 75% | 3% | 0.9 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 74% | 6% | 0.9 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 73% | 3% | 0.8 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 63% | 2% | 0.7 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 65% | 1% | 0.7 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 63% | 3% | 0.7 m | 20°C | 2mm |
Why 48.0
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
22.0
Clean days 24%
1.5
Groundswell 12%
1.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
1.4
Water comfort 10%
3.5
Access 10%
7.3
The detail
Faces 50° with 25% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 52% of days. Mean peak period 8.3 s. Days over 3 m: 0%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 71%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -36.598, 175.525 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Matarangi🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 53.2Hot water Beach🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 56.0Waiheke Is🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 81.3Tairua🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 56.5
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