Absolutely—Gisborne is one of New Zealand’s premier surf destinations. Located on the east coast of the North Island, Gisborne is the first city in the world to see the sunrise each day and a go-to spot for surfers chasing world-class waves, laid-back vibes, and relatively uncrowded beaches. Whether you're a beginner just learning to surf or an experienced surfer looking for powerful beach breaks, Gisborne has a surf spot for every skill level.
Gisborne’s Surf Scene
Gisborne's coastal geography makes it a magnet for swell from a variety of directions, especially during the most consistent Autumn and Winter months. Because of the geography of beaches in Gisborne there is around a 180 degree swell window at local beaches from SW to NE swells. Swell tends to be more consistently from the southerly quarter in the coller months and more commonly from the east in the warmer months. Combine this with a prevailing NW offshore winds, and you’ve got consistently good conditions that attract surfers from all over Aotearoa.
Popular surf breaks around Gisborne include:
-
Wainui Beach – Gisborne’s most iconic break. With a mix of lefts and rights, Wainui offers something for all surfers. It’s just a short drive (or cycle) from the city and often hosts local comps. From waist high to double overhead surf (sometimes more) Wainui can really turn it on at times and can provide world class beach break waves. Swell from the south to NE can hit various parts of the beach and west-NW winds provide best offshore conditions. Check out our Wainui Beach surf spot blog for more detailed information.
- Free Wainui Beach Live Surf Cam
-
Midway Beach and The Pipe – Right in town, Midway Beach, home of Gizzy Pipe, is great for learners and longboarders when it is small, and can provide powerful beach break waves for shortboards when it is pumping. Facing south it is offshore NW to almost NE. There is a surf club here that has paid patrols in the summer months. Plus a kiosk and restaurant
-
Makorori Point – A classic right-hand point break known for its long rides, ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers and a dream for longboarders. There are plenty of great breaks along Makorori Beach. Find out more detail here with our Makorori Beach surf break guide.
- More Detailed Information on most named Gisborne Surf Breaks: Read our handy Gisborne Surf Guide here
When Is the Best Time to Surf in Gisborne?
Gisborne offers surf year-round, but the most consistent seasons are autumn through spring. Summer brings mellow waves with better weather and warmer water temps, perfect for longboards and learners, while autumn/winter often brings clean, offshore conditions and bigger swell for more advanced surfers. We get good weather here but the water can get cold at times, a 4/3mm wetsuit is advisable for winter and some people will wear wetsuit boots, gloves or hoods.
Gear Up at Blitz Surf Shop
If you're planning a surf trip to Gisborne or you're a local frother, you don't need a surfboard warehouse when you have our surf store NZ, Blitz Surf Shop has everything you need. Located right here in Gizzy, our online and in-store range includes:
-
Surfboards – From high-performance shortboards to fun all-rounders and classic longboards.
-
Wetsuits – A must-have for cooler mornings or winter surf missions.
-
Boardshorts and swimwear – From top surf brands like Rip Curl, Billabong, Quiksilver, and Rusty.
-
Sun protection – Zinc sticks, surf hats, ponchos, and sunscreen for long sessions in the sun.
-
Surf accessories – Legropes, wax, tail pads, surfboard travel bags, and repair kits.
We also stock SUPs (stand up paddleboards) for those calm days and hooded towels for warming up post-surf.
Local Tips
-
Get in early – Gisborne’s best surf often happens in the early morning before the wind picks up.
-
Respect the lineup – Locals are friendly but appreciate good surf etiquette. Read our Gisborne Surf Guide for more information on good surf etiquette
-
Stay safe – Always check conditions and surf within your limits. Many beaches are patrolled by surf lifesaving clubs.
So, is there surf in Gisborne?
Yes—and it’s some of the best in New Zealand. Whether you’re chasing barrels or just starting out, Gisborne is the perfect place to surf, chill, and connect with the ocean.
Don't know what to bring? Check out our guide on what to bring with you on a surf trip to Gisborne here
Visit www.blitzsurf.co.nz or drop into our shop to get set up for your next surf session.
