Surf spot

Gizzy Pipe

Forecast conditions and map view for Gizzy Pipe 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: -38.6732, 178.0004

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)	1.1	1.1	0.9	0.9	0.7	0.6	0.9	0.9	1.1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6
Wave direction	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	S	S	SSE	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	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE
Wave period (s)	9.5	8.9	8.2	8.3	10	9.3	6.2	5	7.3	7.8	7.7	8.2	7.2	6.3	6.8	7.1	7.2	6.8	7.5	7.3	7.3	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.4	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.7	7.8	7.8	7.8	7.8	7.9	8	8	8	8	8.2	8.4	8.8	9.7	9.3	9.4	9.4	9.4	9.4	9.4	9.4	9.4	9.4	9.4	9.3	9.3	9.2	9.2
Wave energy (kJ)	211	199	119	101	104	71	57	40	121	127	108	140	98	77	100	109	112	90	107	95	91	75	83	79	77	76	66	68	76	77	79	79	79	76	73	69	66	63	61	66	79	92	106	119	119	119	119	113	109	109	103	92	91	80	74	60
Wind speed (km/h)	5.2	4.7	5.8	7.8	12.2	14.5	7.2	3.3	4.6	4.3	3.4	2.3	4	6.5	3.3	1.1	3.1	3.1	2.9	2.3	4.9	3.3	5.1	7.4	9.5	9	7.4	7.7	1.9	4.9	2.3	9.2	8.7	9.2	10.7	11.2	11.7	11.9	5.6	6.2	5	2.6	3.3	4.7	7.4	7.9	8.4	7.4	6.1	6.1	6.6	5	6.3	11.3	7.4	6.8
Wind direction	NNWOffshore	WNWGlassy	WNWCross-off	WNWCross	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	WNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NWGlassy	NNWGlassy	NNEGlassy	ENEGlassy	ESECross-on	SEGlassy	NGlassy	NNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NNWGlassy	NNWGlassy	SEGlassy	NNWGlassy	NOffshore	NNWOffshore	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	WNWGlassy	SSEGlassy	NWGlassy	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	WNWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NNWOffshore	NWCross-off	NNWCross-off	NWGlassy	ENEGlassy	NNEGlassy	NNWOffshore	NWCross-off	WNWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	WNWCross-off	ESECross-on	WCross	NWCross-off	WNWCross-off

Gizzy Pipe is a well-known surf break near Gisborne on New Zealand’s North Island, in the East Cape / East Coast region. It’s a powerful, hollow beach-break style wave that can deliver fast, punchy sections and, on the right swell, barrel opportunities—hence the “Pipe” nickname.

Quick description

Type: Beach break
Wave quality: Fast, hollow, powerful
Best for: Experienced surfers, especially those comfortable in heavy beach breaks
Conditions: Works best with the right east to northeast swell and favorable wind/tide combo
Crowd factor: Can be busy when conditions line up, since Gisborne is known for consistent surf

What to expect

Gizzy Pipe is typically surfed by locals and more advanced riders because the wave can be steep, shallow, and challenging. When it’s on, it can form short, clean barrels and quick takeoff sections. It’s not usually a mellow longboard wave—more of a spot for performance boards and confident maneuvering.

Area vibe

The Gisborne/East Cape coastline is famous for its exposed surf exposure to Pacific swells, scenic beaches, and a strong local surf culture. Conditions can change quickly with weather and sand movement, so the spot’s quality often depends on the day.