Waipapa Bay

📍 Local Knowledge

Waipapa Bay in Kaikoura is an exposed beach break that is usually a safe bet for surf, with autumn and winter being the best seasons for waves. The best conditions occur when a Southeast swell, which is just as likely to come from local windswells as from distant groundswells, combines with an offshore wind direction from the North. The beach breaks offer both lefts and rights and perform best around mid tide when the tide is rising. It is rarely crowded here, but surfers should be wary of rips as they make surfing this location dangerous. The best time of year for consistent, clean waves is during autumn, particularly the month of August.