Continent |
Oceania |
Country |
New Zealand |
Next Big City |
Kaitaia or Kerikeri |
Next Town |
Taipa |
|
Type: |
Ocean |
Rider Ability: |
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert |
Features: |
Rooms |
Water
Type: |
Shallow, Flat |
Hazards: |
Currents, Reefs |
Quality: |
Clean |
Best Tide: |
Tide independent |
If you stay close to shore, then there are few hazards, but there are a couple of reefs that appear at a low tide. The channel is quite narrow and a large volume of water flows through it. Be careful when the tide is flowing as the currents can be quite strong. At mid to low tides, a sandbank appears on the far side of the estuary which has some really flat water and great conditions.
Beach
Type: |
Sand |
Size: |
No information |
Hazards: |
Trees, Cars |
Beach Users: |
January, February, December |
At high tide, the beach can be quite narrow with trees and rocks in some areas at the back of the beach. The beach is often used by car drivers going fishing or getting access to beach-front properties.
Weather
Spring:
|
Shorty, Normal |
Summer:
|
Shorty, Normal |
Fall:
|
Shorty, Normal |
Winter:
|
Normal |
Wind
Best Months: |
No information |
Wind Type: |
Frontal |
Best Direction: |
SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW |
Main Direction: |
No information |
The location is on a point so if the wind direction is too southerly or even Southeast you can head south down the beach and kite around the corner. There is a big flat sandy area which is revealed at low tide at the southern end (see picture with blue kite). The local kite school often teaches in that area.
How to get there
Transport |
Car |
Access
|
Short walk |
You can drive down the beach from Rangiputa when the tide is not at its highest and reach any part of the beach. The location pinned here has no beach access for cars but has a very short (30 seconds) walk from the parking spot to the beach where you launch.
Extra information
At mid to low tides, a sandbank appears on the far side of the estuary which has some really flat water and great conditions. You need to be confident in your ability to kite upwind and must not be on your own to sail across there. Alternatively if the wind is too easterly then it is a 30-40 minute drive around the estuary to Kaimaumau Rd and you can kite on the far side in similar conditions, but you are not so likely to find other kite surfers there, so best to take a buddy with you if you do go there.
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