Surf spot

Big River

Forecast conditions and map view for Big River in New Zealand, New Zealand NI, East Cape. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: New Zealand, New Zealand NI, East Cape
Coordinates: -38.7115, 177.9471

Metric
Metric	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00
Wave height (m)	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.4	0.4	0.7	0.6	0.8	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5
Wave direction	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	S	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	ESE	SE	SE	ESE	ESE
Wave period (s)	7	5.2	5.3	5.3	10.3	9.3	4.3	5.8	7.3	7.5	7.7	7.8	7.8	5.5	5.7	5.7	6.4	6	6.4	6.8	7	7.4	7.4	7.5	7.5	7.3	7.5	7.5	7.7	7	7.5	8.4	8.4	8.3	8.3	8.2	8.2	8.2	8.3	8	7.6	11.3	10.1	10.2	10.2	9.9	7.4	4.8	4.7	4.3	7.1	7	7.1	9.5	9.3	9.3
Wave energy (kJ)	43	25	23	19	37	22	16	24	65	43	45	47	46	31	34	34	50	37	42	48	50	45	51	56	56	46	49	49	51	35	50	82	82	81	71	66	58	54	52	43	27	68	99	107	120	114	70	36	37	28	61	49	44	69	59	50
Wind speed (km/h)	7.6	7.3	8.7	7.3	15.7	18.3	11	6.6	6.3	5.2	5.2	6.1	12.4	8	1.8	2.9	4	5.6	7.8	6.4	10.4	12.1	4.2	9.4	12.8	11.5	10	7.1	6.1	14.3	1.8	10.8	11.6	11	12.6	17.1	14.5	13.1	9	7.5	5.5	2.7	4.7	2.3	7.8	16.5	7.7	5.9	8.7	8.7	9	3.5	10	19.2	6.9	6.4
Wind direction	NWOffshore	WOffshore	WNWOffshore	WOffshore	SCross	SSECross-on	SCross	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	NCross-off	ESEOnshore	EOnshore	EGlassy	WNWGlassy	NNWGlassy	NWCross-off	WNWOffshore	NNWCross-off	ESEOnshore	EOnshore	ENEGlassy	NWCross-off	NWOffshore	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	NWOffshore	EOnshore	SEOnshore	WGlassy	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	NWOffshore	NWCross-off	NNWCross-off	NNWCross-off	NWOffshore	WNWOffshore	WNWGlassy	WSWGlassy	NWGlassy	NNWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWOffshore	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	WNWGlassy	SSECross-on	SSWCross	SWCross-off	WNWOffshore

Big River (East Cape, North Island, New Zealand) is a remote surf break on the rugged East Cape coastline, known more for its isolation and raw natural setting than for crowds or easy access.

Overview

Location: East Cape, North Island, New Zealand
Access: Remote; typically requires a drive on coastal roads and often a walk depending on exact approach and conditions
Setting: Wild, undeveloped stretch of coastline with a strong sense of isolation

Wave Character

Type: Beachbreak/rivermouth-style setup depending on swell and sand movement
Best Swell: Generally responds to East or Northeast swell in the right window, with some protection and shape depending on local contour
Wind: Offshore or light winds are ideal; strong onshore winds can quickly ruin conditions
Skill Level: Best suited to intermediate to advanced surfers because conditions can change quickly and the area may be less forgiving

What to Expect

Powerful, shifting waves with changing sandbanks
A quiet lineup, often with few or no other surfers
Potentially excellent waves when swell, tide, and wind align
A remote, exposed environment where conditions can be inconsistent

Hazards / Considerations

Rock features and variable river-mouth currents may be present
Isolation means you should be self-sufficient
Conditions can change rapidly with swell, tide, and weather
Check local access permissions, road conditions, and any cultural or environmental considerations before going

Vibe

Big River is the kind of spot that appeals to surfers looking for adventure: uncrowded, scenic, and a little wild. When it turns on, it can deliver fun and powerful surf, but it’s not a place that guarantees waves every day.