Continent
Oceania
Country
New Zealand
Next Big City
Auckland (North Island)
Next Town
Huia
 
Type:
Ocean
Rider Ability:
Expert
Features:
No information

Water

Type:
Flat, Chop, Small wave
Hazards:
Currents
Quality:
Clean
Best Tide:
Low tide

Water is flat to small/medium chop. All tides spot that works best at low tide. Nearly the entire Manukau Harbour drains out through here at low tide so the outgoing tidal current is very strong. However this can work to advantage as it greatly increases apparent wind effect. A sandbar right out at the entrance can produce waves. This spot is for advanced kiters only.

Beach

Type:
Sand
Size:
Small
Hazards:
Trees
Beach Users:
None

Beach is a small sandy beach with a small picnic area to rig up kites. Access is via a dirt road.

Weather

Spring:
Normal
Summer:
Shorty
Fall:
Normal
Winter:
Normal

Water temps aren't that warm. Wetsuit required year round but this is more owing to the dangerous nature of the water than the cold (water temp about 21°C in summer). The season here is mostly winter and spring (June to December) but off-season can be ridden too (summer, autumn).

Wind

Best Months:
January, February, March, December
Wind Type:
Thermal
Best Direction:
SW, WSW
Main Direction:
SSW, SW, WSW

Wind here is very very strong. A typical spring WSW wind (which is usually 25-40 knots in the open) is channeled through the heads. Combine this with the effect of the strong outgoing tide current and the end result is a super windy spot. In fact this place only works in real strong winds and is only designed for very small kites and small sails. Best direction is SW or WSW.



How to get there

Transport
Car
Access
Short walk

From the airport head around the harbour to Titirangi. Then head along the road to Huia. On the left about 3km before Huia is a small dirt road that has a sign saying `Kaitarakihi` on it. This is the road to the beach.

Extra information

Rules
Other

No real rules here but this place is incredibly dangerous. It's very windy and only for advanced kiters. Do not EVER kite here alone. If something goes wrong then you stand a good chance of dying if ill prepared. Watch for sharks, be especially careful during outgoing tide as the current is very strong. THIS IS NOT A BEGINNERS SPOT!

Nightlife

No information