Surf spot

Cliffs

Forecast conditions and map view for Cliffs 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: -38.6865, 178.0377

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)	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.9	1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	1.4
Wave direction	SSE	SSE	S	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	S	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	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	ESE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	E	ENE
Wave period (s)	7.5	8.1	9.3	7.3	5	5	5.7	7.2	6.3	6.3	6.7	6.7	8.1	10	10.3	5	7.2	7.5	7.8	8	8	6.9	6.3	6.6	6.5	6.5	6.9	6.7	6.5	6.8	7.2	7.3	6.9	6.8	6.5	8.1	7.5	7.5	7.6	7.6	7.6	7.7	7.7	7.8	7.9	7.6	7.5	12.3	11.3	10.8	10.8	9.6	9.4	9.3	7.8	5.9
Wave energy (kJ)	26	28	31	21	41	50	77	116	102	88	99	82	84	98	82	35	88	94	108	112	107	81	67	77	76	51	61	57	46	47	53	52	41	36	24	38	49	50	50	50	47	45	42	40	42	31	29	70	126	157	173	143	132	123	81	136
Wind speed (km/h)	7.7	7.1	6.2	10.3	9.9	8.1	3.4	3	2.9	5.4	6.8	7.5	12.6	14.2	6.5	4	3.8	3.4	3.6	2.2	4.4	7.6	3	3.9	4.8	5.5	5.8	4	2.5	6.2	4.1	7.4	7.4	7.1	6.9	6.1	1.8	2.4	3.2	5.4	6.2	6.1	8.2	10.5	16.6	12.2	9.4	4.8	4.3	4.8	6.9	6.9	4.4	6.1	5.4	2.3
Wind direction	NWCross	WNWCross	NWCross	SSWOnshore	SOnshore	SSECross-on	ESEGlassy	NNEGlassy	NGlassy	WNWCross	WNWCross	WNWCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	WNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NGlassy	EGlassy	ECross-off	ESEGlassy	NWGlassy	NNWGlassy	NNWCross-off	NNWCross-off	NGlassy	NGlassy	NOffshore	NNEGlassy	NNWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross	NWCross-off	NWCross	NWGlassy	SSEGlassy	SSWGlassy	NWCross	NWCross	NWCross	NWCross	WNWCross	NWCross	NWCross	NNWCross-off	NNWGlassy	NGlassy	NNWGlassy	SCross-on	SOnshore	SGlassy	SECross	ECross-off	SEGlassy

Cliffs, East Cape, New Zealand (North Island) is a remote, exposed surf spot on the far eastern side of New Zealand’s North Island. It’s known for powerful ocean-swell exposure, rugged scenery, and uncrowded waves.

What it’s like

Wave type: Typically a point/reef-style break depending on the exact cliff section and swell direction.
Conditions: Works best with consistent swell and the right wind direction, since the spot is fully exposed to the open ocean.
Wave quality: Can offer clean, fast, and powerful waves, especially when East Coast swell lines up.
Crowds: Usually light to empty due to its remote location.
Atmosphere: Wild, scenic, and isolated — with steep cliffs and a raw coastal feel.

Best for

Intermediate to advanced surfers
Surfers comfortable in remote, exposed, and powerful conditions
Those looking for a less crowded East Cape wave

Things to know

The area can be hazardous with strong currents, rocks, and changing conditions.
Access may be limited or require local knowledge.
Best approached with caution and respect for local surfers and the environment.