(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Remote Whangamoa is the most exposed beach on the Nelson side of Tasman Bay and the surf here is usually a bit bigger than the breaks near Nelson city. When a NW swell is bit too small for Schnapper, Whangamoa is the last resort this side of the Takaka Hill. On the day I surfed it Whangamoa was well overhead while Schnapper, which I surfed a few hours earlier, was barely waist to shoulder high.
Access is the big negative for Whangamoa. After several years of being closed due to logging operations it was available to surfers once again in 2008. The logging track was in good shape when we visted and we did not need 4WD but this may change and in any case 4WD would be safer after heavy rain.
We couldn't find any paths down from the dirt road and so it was a bit of a bush bash through the Manuka and on steep ground it would be really easy to slip and ding your board. The last bit, a steep scramble in Gorse, Flax, long grass and eventually rock was a bit exposed too. I don't know if there is a better path down to the beach or whether it has simply become overgrown during the 2 years when Whangamoa was out of bounds.
We had a very light onshore when we were there but the wave quality was pretty good considering. Quite a powerful and heavy wave breaks in front of the rivermouth but when we were there it was not as good as Delaware Bay (it probably varies a lot with the shape of the bar). Even so, well worth a visit, especially when the other Nelson breaks are a bit small. A stunningly beautiful spot for a weekend camping trip. Take fishing rod.”
Rob Davies from NEW ZEALAND - 06 Mar 2010
Whangamoa Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 2 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 2.0(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: Whangamoa is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 4.0(1: Whangamoa is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Nelson - Tasman Bay. 5: the best break in Nelson - Tasman Bay). |
Difficulty Level: 3.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 3.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Whangamoa can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 1.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Whangamoa, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 1.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Whangamoa are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 4.5(1: Often too crowded. 5: Whangamoa is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 3.5(1: Getting to Whangamoa 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: 5.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 5.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 1.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Whangamoa for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.0(1: Camping at Whangamoa is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 1.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Whangamoa is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 1.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Whangamoa, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 2.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Whangamoa where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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