(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Good wave on its day but its days are few and far between. It can get busy on the weekends but most of the locals are kooks so you can get your fair share of waves”
The Bee Keeper from NEW ZEALAND - 20 Dec 2016
Delaware Bay Point Ratings
Overall: 4.0. Based on 5 votes and 3 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 4.4(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 2.6(1: Delaware Bay Point is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 4.0(1: Delaware Bay Point is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Nelson - Tasman Bay. 5: the best break in Nelson - Tasman Bay). |
Difficulty Level: 3.8(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.7(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Delaware Bay Point can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.3(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Delaware Bay Point, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Delaware Bay Point are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.8(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.6(1: Often too crowded. 5: Delaware Bay Point is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 2.6(1: Getting to Delaware Bay Point requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.8(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 3.8(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 3.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Delaware Bay Point for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 1.7(1: Camping at Delaware Bay Point is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 3.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Delaware Bay Point is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.3(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 3.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Delaware Bay Point, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 1.7(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Delaware Bay Point where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Heaps of Stingrays and School sharks also keep the crowds down. Not often very good and much better off crowding it up at Schnappers!'
nelsonboardriders dot blogspot dot com”
Mark from NEW ZEALAND - 08 Apr 2010
“When there is a big NW swell and light or offshore winds (sadly, not all that common) the bar at Delaware Bay offers an excellent very hollow left hander that pitches over gravel in just a foot or two of water. Try and avoid a potentially neck-breaking head-plant but otherwise the gravel usually makes for a reasonably soft landing. This is a good thing because at least half the time, being dumped on the bar is exactly how your ride will end. If you don't fancy the prospect of being worked, sit wide of the action and pick off the bigger set waves. These provide an easy take-off and a very long left hand wall and an easy exit, but no tube.
Delaware Bay is well checking when Schnapper is at least head-high on the sets and too crowded.
It's a long walk across the estuary from where you park (about a mile) and you will have to cross and re-cross a fast flowing and cold river two or three times. At least this keeps the numbers down. It's almost impossible to see Delaware Bay from any vantage points apart from a very distant obstructed view from the road out to Cable Bay.”
Rob Davies from NEW ZEALAND - 06 Mar 2010
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