Waikato

The Waikato region's western coast faces the Tasman Sea, exposed to the prevailing westerly swells that roll in from the Tasman without obstruction. Raglan, 45 kilometres west of Hamilton, is the prestige surf town — its left-hand point break at Manu Bay is one of the longest rideable waves in the Southern Hemisphere, regularly producing 200-metre rides on the right swell. The break has been consistently surfed since the 1960s and the town retains an unhurried counterculture character that distinguishes it from more developed east-coast beach towns. Tidal character is semidiurnal; spring tidal range around Raglan Harbour is 2.5 to 3.5 metres, and the tidal state materially affects break shape — the point works best on incoming tide. The harbour estuary behind the Raglan beach contains extensive intertidal sand flats and supports migratory wading bird populations. The Kariotahi and Ngarunui beaches north of the point provide surf school territory and gentler beach break conditions for beginners. Water temperature ranges from 14°C in August to 20°C in February. For authoritative New Zealand tide data, consult LINZ (Land Information New Zealand).