Surf spot

matauri bay

Forecast conditions and map view for matauri bay in New Zealand, New Zealand NI, NE Coast. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: New Zealand, New Zealand NI, NE Coast
Coordinates: -35.0311, 173.9175

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)	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2
Wave direction	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	ENE	ENE	NE	NE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	ENE	ENE	ENE	NE	NE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NNW	NNW	NNW	N	NNW	NNE	NNE	ESE	ESE	ESE	SE
Wave period (s)	8.1	7.7	7.4	7.5	11.6	12.4	12.2	10.5	10.6	10.6	10.6	10.4	11.5	11.4	11.1	11	10.7	10.3	10.8	10.2	10.4	10.8	10.7	10.2	10.8	10.8	10.8	10.8	10.6	10.5	10	9.9	10.3	10.2	10.2	10.1	10	10	10	9.9	9.9	9.8	9.8	9.8	6	5	4.6	5	5.2	5.6	5.4	5.6	10.7	10.7	10.6	9.4
Wave energy (kJ)	9	6	5	4	9	10	10	11	11	11	11	11	13	13	12	12	11	10	11	10	15	16	15	16	16	16	16	16	15	17	16	15	16	14	14	14	14	14	12	11	11	9	9	9	2	29	27	24	22	10	8	6	7	7	7	6
Wind speed (km/h)	18.5	17.7	15.8	15.4	19.1	16.4	13.9	6.7	7	7.2	7.6	13.7	13.8	12.8	12.8	6.9	6.7	7.1	7.1	8.8	5.7	7.2	9.3	8.4	7.2	7.1	6.1	6.6	7.5	12.8	4.7	9	7.8	7	5.5	1.1	10.8	12.3	11	6.9	4.2	3.2	2	6.4	15.5	15.1	9	5.9	7.4	3.3	7.6	14.9	16.4	13.8	16.2	13.5
Wind direction	WSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SSWCross	SSWCross-off	SWCross-off	WSWCross-off	WSWOffshore	WSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SSWCross	SCross	SSWCross	SSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SCross	NNECross	NCross-off	ENEGlassy	SCross	SSWCross	SWCross-off	SSWCross	SSEGlassy	NCross	NNWCross-off	NWOffshore	WOffshore	WSWGlassy	WSWGlassy	SEGlassy	NECross-on	NCross-off	NCross	NCross-off	NCross-off	WNWOffshore	SSWGlassy	SCross	SCross-on	SSECross-on	SSECross-on	SCross	SCross-on

Matauri Bay is a scenic surf and beach spot on the northeast coast of New Zealand’s North Island, in Northland. It’s a beautiful bay with clear water, headlands, and a relaxed coastal feel.

Surf description

Wave type: Mostly a beachbreak, with some shape influenced by sandbars and the bay’s contours.
Best conditions: Generally works best with southeast to northeast swells and light offshore winds.
Wave quality: Can be fun and playful when conditions line up, but it’s usually more of a small-to-moderate surf destination than a heavy power spot.
Consistency: Exposure depends on swell direction, so it can be inconsistent compared with more open-coast breaks.
Crowds: Typically less crowded than major surf towns, though local surfers know the area well.

Spot character

Suitable for: Beginners to intermediate surfers on smaller days, and more experienced surfers when the swell is up.
Hazards: Watch for changing sandbars, strong currents, and occasionally rocky sections/reef influence near the edges of the bay.
Best vibe: Quiet, scenic, and laid-back — a good spot for combining a surf session with swimming, fishing, or just enjoying the view.

Overall

Matauri Bay is best described as a beautiful Northland beachbreak with occasional quality surf, especially when there’s the right swell direction and clean conditions. It’s more about the setting and relaxed feel than heavy or world-class waves.