(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Have to agree with the last guy Brendon, the SUP/clubbies are out of control at this place, no concept of wave riding safety or sharing waves. Quite shocking actually as this doesn't happen like this at other places. I think they need a few lessons in safety and respect.
But it's a chilled out community. Filthy dirty brown water all year round though from a badly polluted river and the surf is absolute gutless crumbly onshore rubbish except for that rare twice a year sesh.
Far better to go to Taranaki or Wellington ways for some decent waves!”
Allistair Michaels from NEW ZEALAND - 13 Sep 2019
Foxton Beach Ratings
Overall: 1.0. Based on 42 votes and 16 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 1.7(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: 1.6(1: Foxton Beach is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 1.7(1: Foxton Beach is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Wanganui and the Manawatu. 5: the best break in Wanganui and the Manawatu). |
Difficulty Level: 1.8(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 1.8(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Foxton Beach can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.5(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Foxton Beach, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.3(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Foxton Beach are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 2.1(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.2(1: Often too crowded. 5: Foxton Beach is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 2.9(1: Getting to Foxton Beach 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: 2.4(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 2.4(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 2.1(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Foxton Beach for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 2.5(1: Camping at Foxton Beach is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Foxton Beach is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.5(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 2.2(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Foxton Beach, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 2.1(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Foxton Beach where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Have spent the last 2 months here working on a contract to build 2 bridges. I have had quite a few surfs here now and read through these comments. I have noticed a large contingent of clubbies and SUP riders out in the water and none of them have any idea of safety or rules. Had one drop in on me 5 times and 3 of them continually snaking me. Not cool Foxton, not cool. Why such a large number of SUP/clubbies here? Why do they think they own the waves and have no concept of etiquette? No wonder SUP riders are getting such a bad reputation worldwide.
P.s someone said the surf is generally weak onshore crumbly shit waves, they're right.”
Brendon Fitzgerald from NEW ZEALAND - 29 Nov 2018
“Me and my family have owned a beach house here for 15 years and we love it here there’s plenty to do including good snapper fishing, biscuit in and wakeboarding in the river, and when there is an easterly wind the surf can be great. I don’t agree with the other comments about the nasty locals i find them friendly and in the 15 years of coming here most weekends we haven’t had one thing stolen or vandalised, only been robbed by hood rats from palmy. The weather is amazing here it seems to have a force field around it.”
Tom Whiteman from NEW ZEALAND - 06 Jan 2018
“Been here quite a few times, normally onshore crumbly pretty crap surf to be honest. Locals can be mongrels sometimes doing donuts in the carpark and hooning on the beach but generally pretty chilled. Better to go up the line to Whanganui or south to Welly for decent waves.”
Mitch Davis from NEW ZEALAND - 11 Dec 2017
“I see pretty much all the comments say this is a crap place for surfing which is true, it's pretty polluted too being at the mouth of one of the worst polluted rivers in NZ and I know of several people getting pretty sick with gastroenteritis bugs after swimming at this beach. The ocean water is generally a dirty brown for the vast majority of the year due to this disgusting river.
There are also several comments for and against the carpark localism. I have witnessed both sides, the friendly people and the angry youths who think they own the entire planet on the weekends. The carpark is a drinking and burnout pad in the summer evenings, the cops are based in Levin at that time of the night and take at least 30 minutes to attend a call out to the beach. The local policeman is great, but he's one guy and not able to police 24/7. I would think a complete alcohol ban (rather than new years eve and Guy Fawkes night) and speed bumps placed strategically throughout the entire carpark would curb these bad behaviors. Most other beach carparks have these things already in place. I have seen idiots on the turps being abusive and playing loud offensive music in front of families trying to eat their fish and chips peacefully watching the sunset. And I know of two people who have had their cars tampered with while out walking.
To be honest the bad stories are what puts people off coming back to a place even if they happen only rarely.”
Dan Kane from NEW ZEALAND - 20 Jun 2015
“I'm not a surfer but am a local. I park in the surf club carpark and walk miles up the beach beachcoming. Been doing this regularly for 5 years. Often get back to car after dark. Never had an issue with theft or trouble of any kind on beach. Never seen any trouble. Never seen a smashed window. Never heard of any cars being broken into. I don't think I get left alone because I am a local. How would anyone know????
But really this isn't a surf beach, but the kite surfers seem to have a blast.”
local beachcomber from NEW ZEALAND - 07 May 2015
“Not sure I believe many of these comments. I have been kitesurfing this beach for over 11 years now and I have never, ever seen any of this sort of behaviour. I am not a Foxton local, I live about 40 mins away in Palmerston North, but I go to this beach whenever I can. Only problem I ever had was when I trashed a Fishermans gear because I got too close. He was pretty angry and rightly so, but we came to an amicable agreement and all was fine.
Locals are extremely friendly and I can only think that anyone that had a bad experience there then they must have been out of town yobs, they get everywhere unfortunately.
Don't be put off Foxton by these negative comments, in my experience its a great place, maybe not a great surf spot though, the Naki much better for that, but if you want to kite surf, kite landboard or SUP there are not many better places in NZ.”
Dixie from NEW ZEALAND - 24 Jan 2015
“To Glen who made the comments that the locals aren't hostile. Tell that to my insurance company who paid out for a broken window, my clothes, wallet, cellphone (I didn't claim for the mint lollies they stole as well!).
You being a local, they obviously leave you alone. Go hang out down there as an outsider like me in the late afternoon, early evening while there are a bunch of locals getting pissed in the carpark. Then leave your car there for a couple of hours while you surf and they know you're out there cause they can see you. Then you might see the nasty side of the angry locals.”
Peter Davidson from NEW ZEALAND - 22 May 2014
“All these reviews about hostile locals are bullshit. I live here and its extremely safe & friendly. Its not a surf destination but can turn it on when the conditions are right.”
Glen from NEW ZEALAND - 14 Jan 2014
“I see an editor comment that this place is friendly, let me tell you it's far from it. Have had my car broken into in the carpark here, they bloody well flogged everything and I had to drive back to the motel in my damn wetsuit! A bunch of guys were partying in the carpark on a couple of the early evenings and quite aggro, pity there's no alcohol ban as it really ruins quite a lovely beach. I don't know if they were involved in my car break in, but it would seem highly likely.
Surf was pretty rubbish, smaller crumbly waves that close out. The one day it did get ok it was lacking any power and the rides were short. I would say it would be a good longboard wave, but not good for much else.
I have surfed plenty of places in NZ and this would actually have to be one of my worst experiences, I hope I don't have to do relief work down that way for a long time!”
Peter Davidson from NEW ZEALAND - 23 Sep 2013
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