Surf spot

Diversion

Forecast conditions and map view for Diversion in New Zealand, New Zealand SI, North Coast. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: New Zealand, New Zealand SI, North Coast
Coordinates: -41.4400, 174.0318

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)	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.4	0.3	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.4	0.2	0.5	0.7	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.6	0.8	1	1.1	0.9	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.5
Wave direction	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	ESE	ESE	SSE	ESE	ESE	NNE	ESE	SE	E	E	SE	E	E	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	E	NNE	N	N	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	SE	ESE	ESE	SE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE
Wave period (s)	4.8	4.8	5	4.8	7.7	4.1	4.7	4.6	4.6	5.3	5.3	5.4	7.8	7.8	8.4	8.2	7.7	7.5	7.6	4.5	5	7.2	5.2	5	3.1	4.6	8.3	4.3	5.2	8.3	5.4	5.3	3.5	3.6	3.9	3.6	5.5	4.2	3.6	4.5	11.3	11.3	11.5	11.4	11.2	11.1	10.8	8.4	5.5	5.4	5.1	5.3	7.8	7.3	7.3	7.2
Wave energy (kJ)	18	15	12	9	14	12	19	14	11	19	18	18	36	33	25	24	27	24	20	7	9	17	17	12	4	4	8	2	4	7	3	4	3	3	3	4	3	9	12	4	33	45	51	55	44	43	54	45	39	56	58	42	28	25	19	26
Wind speed (km/h)	14.4	18.8	14.7	8.4	14	13.4	8.8	5.9	2.1	8.3	11.2	7.9	12.6	15.9	3.5	10.4	11.8	11.3	10.9	7.9	11.5	16.1	11.5	11.9	18.7	22.3	22	21.3	18.2	11	8.5	3.6	2.9	5.8	6.9	12.2	10.6	14.8	6.2	4	7.2	7.1	4.2	0.8	8.7	13.4	5.9	15.8	13.9	15.1	12	4.1	15	10.8	3.8	14.3
Wind direction	WOffshore	WOffshore	WSWOffshore	WSWOffshore	ENEOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ESEOnshore	WNWGlassy	WOffshore	WOffshore	WNWOffshore	NECross-on	ENECross-on	ENEGlassy	WOffshore	WNWOffshore	WOffshore	WOffshore	WNWOffshore	NECross-on	NECross-on	NNECross-on	WOffshore	WOffshore	WOffshore	WOffshore	WOffshore	WNWOffshore	NCross-off	SEOnshore	SEGlassy	WSWGlassy	WOffshore	NWCross-off	NNWCross-off	NNWCross-off	SECross-on	SECross-on	SSEGlassy	WOffshore	SSECross-on	WSWGlassy	ENEGlassy	NECross-on	ENECross-on	NCross	WNWOffshore	WNWOffshore	WOffshore	WSWOffshore	SSEGlassy	ESEOnshore	ESEOnshore	ENEGlassy	SCross

Diversion is a surf spot on the North Coast of New Zealand’s South Island (SI), known for its exposed coastal setup and usually raw, ocean-driven conditions.

Quick description

Type: Coastal surf break
Region: North Coast, South Island, New Zealand
Character: Typically a less-crowded, open-coast wave with variable conditions depending on swell and wind
Best for: Surfers who are comfortable reading changing sand and swell conditions

What it’s like

Diversion is generally the kind of spot that responds well to the right combo of: - Swell direction and size - Offshore winds - Local bathymetry / sand movement

Because it’s on the exposed South Island coast, conditions can be powerful and a bit unpredictable. When it’s working, it can offer fun, quality waves; when it’s not, it may be messy or inconsistent.

Things to keep in mind

Weather can change quickly on the South Island north coast.
Water temperature is cold much of the year, so a wetsuit is usually needed.
Local hazards may include strong currents, rocky sections, or shifting banks depending on the exact setup.
The spot is often best approached with local knowledge.