Raglan
Also known as: Whaingaroa, Rivermouth, Manu Bay
Renowned Waikato west-coast harbour and point breaks, black sand, green hills
Wind & season
Wind, water and season at this North Island, Waikato west coast, New Zealand spot - what to expect and when to come.
Jun to Nov windiest; consistent west-coast swell all year
Best SW to NW
Fairly reliable prevailing SW/NW. Confirm.
Windy year round, spring and autumn most consistent
Falling/ebb tide best; rivermouth gives broad-reaching in westerlies
Strong gusty frontal wind, rapid swell, rivermouth current on ebb, fronts
The water
Mixed (wave outside, flat rivermouth)
Shallow harbour flats and lagoon at rivermouth; deeper channel; ocean beach deeper
Cold, wetsuit needed year round
Full wetsuit year-round; 3/2 mm summer, 4/3 mm plus boots and hood winter
Skill & group fit
Intermediate to advanced (harbour flats suit learners)
4 (advanced)
Learners/foilers on calm harbour flats; wave riders at rivermouth and beach
Versatile; sheltered flats plus premier wave zone for advanced
Getting there & schools
Harbour rivermouth flats near town and northern bay; road and beach access
Car required; approx 45 min west of Hamilton; no shuttle
Ozone NZ / Adrenaline Alley (IKO) kite, wing and hydrofoil school on Raglan harbour
Parking, toilets, Raglan township cafes, shops and accommodation
World-class surf (Manu Bay, Whale Bay), cafes, Bridal Veil Falls, arts scene
Laid-back surf town; wave line-ups can be busy, respect surfers and locals
Permits & safety
Free public foreshore. VERIFY parking/access
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
West-coast rips and surf outside the harbour; point sheltered from wind by rocks
Coastguard Raglan and local surf rescue; no dedicated on-site kite rescue
Waikato Hospital, Hamilton approx 48 km (est); Coastguard/Police 111 / VHF 16
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand wind-sport spot report. Coordinates are approximate.