(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“The sandbar on a 3-4 ft swell can get heavy you can just fit in the barrel pancakes just across the channel has a nice ride but you have to pop off the wave otherwise you will hit multiple boulders and if that does happen well say good bye to your board you can also use the channel to get out went on the biggest day of the year it snapped my board like a twig the real locals are the crabs they will pinch if you wander off to far in to their territory one problem drop ins are frequently mostly intermediate to beginners will do that also sups find another sand bank not the sandbar there’s always a current dragging you to the river mouth there’s quicksand there not a nice place to be near there well goodbye.”
Orewa local from NEW ZEALAND - 24 Dec 2019
Orewa Beach Ratings
Overall: 2.0. Based on 48 votes and 4 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.3(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: 2.5(1: Orewa Beach is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.0(1: Orewa Beach is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Auckland. 5: the best break in Auckland). |
Difficulty Level: 2.3(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.8(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Orewa Beach can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 3.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Orewa Beach, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 3.9(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Orewa Beach are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.3(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.8(1: Often too crowded. 5: Orewa Beach is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 5.0(1: Getting to Orewa 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: 4.3(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 4.3(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 4.1(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Orewa Beach for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 4.6(1: Camping at Orewa Beach is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 4.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Orewa Beach is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 4.1(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 4.7(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Orewa Beach, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 4.3(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Orewa Beach where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“The wave is quite fat at all tides and only gets really good on a tropical cyclone although the odd ground swell pushes in there. there is a good little sand bar at the rivermouth that gives good long rides for longboards and short boards the etiquette here isnt very good and there a lots of beginner/intermediates out there who like to drop in but if your a vocal dude they will stay off your wave longboarders and sups tend to wave hog but sups get dropped in on left right and centre just like any other beach so if your a sup i would reccomend steering clear of the bar and finding a another bank along the beach the bar paddle out is quite long but the waves are fairly soft so shouldnt be a problem for most surfers if you cant make the drive up to futher spots like tawharanui or mangawhai this place is a good compromise
despite how the site says summer and spring are the best times its actually better during cyclone season from march to the end of autumn and winter”
Shaggy from NEW ZEALAND - 13 Apr 2017
“Orewa is a sweet beach when she works and it is were I learnt to surf. Whether you're a beginner or advanced you can get some great rides. Occasionally it barrels but they pinch after about 6 seconds. Also the wave face is not really steep so nosediving or pearling should not occur”
jack schreuder from NEW ZEALAND - 28 Apr 2014
“its a cool beach 4 bubbys”
bub from NEW ZEALAND - 08 Dec 2011
Nearest