Best surf spots in Taranaki / SH45

The yin to Raglan's yang, and for many the finest right-hand point in the country. A bowling reef takeoff that barrels then walls into a long, almost endless right, all beneath snowy Mt Taranaki.

A whole cluster of volcanic reefs and a stony left point scattered along the coast below Mt Taranaki, where almost endless boulder breaks turn on for everyone from groms on the small days to chargers when it gets serious.

New Plymouth's most exposed beach break, a powerful and punchy bank of black volcanic sand tucked below Paritutu Rock that pulls in more swell than anywhere else in town and turns into a genuine big wave arena when it lights up.

Several shifting sand peaks throw both rights and lefts that can stand up hollow and powerful when the swell is right. A fun, forgiving beach break that suits every level, and the home break of Paige Hareb.

A rocky right-hand point just north of Opunake, mostly a softer, playful wall with a hollow take-off and a left off the south end. The friendliest way into Taranaki's famous Stent Road cluster.

New Plymouth's main city beach break, a genuinely good one that throws hollow barrels and gnarly drop-ins when the wind swings offshore, with mellower peaks down the eastern end for everyone else.

A black-sand river-mouth and beach break that throws up shifting peaks on both sides of the Mōkau bar, punchy and quick to catch swell, more a check-as-you-pass than a destination on the long drive north.

A friendly, all-levels beach break in a sheltered half-moon bay, with lefts, rights and a long right that can run almost the length of the sand. The safe, patrolled heart of the Taranaki surf highway.

An honest, intermediate river-mouth wave at the quiet bottom of the Taranaki surf coast, where hollow, punchy peaks throw off river-built sandbars and you will almost always have the place to yourself.