Wainui Beach

Wainui is the most consistent beach break in New Zealand. Nine peaks run for four kilometres along the east-facing coast from Cooper Street in the south to Whales at the Okitu end. Stockroute is the headline barrel and the most photographed wave on the East Cape; Pines is the biggest, handling double-overhead when a clean E or NE groundswell meets NW offshore winds. The sand is heavy, the drops are sucky, and on its best days the wave has been genuinely compared to Hossegor in southwest France or South Straddie in Australia.

Each section reads a different swell angle and bank. An E or NE swell lights up Stockroute, Schools and Pines. A south or SE swell wakes up Chalet, Lone Pine and White Fence at the north end. Smaller days and longboard days are best at Whales: mixed sand-and-rock bottom, long open faces, sheltered from northeast wind. The standard of surfing at Stockroute on a pumping day is extraordinary, and visiting surfers with serious skills are welcomed if they show appropriate respect.

• Section-by-section wave selection. Drive the road end-to-end before parking. South to north: Cooper Street, Stockroute, No Access, Schools, Empty (Teddy's), Pines, White Fence, Chalet, Lone Pine, Whales. Each section reads a different swell angle and bank. E or NE swell lights up Stockroute, Schools and Pines. S or SE swell wakes up Chalet, Lone Pine and White Fence. Smaller days head to Whales.
• Pines holds the biggest. When Stockroute closes out on a swell over head-and-a-half, Pines is the next stop north. It handles double-to-triple overhead, freight-train barrels for the locals who know it.
• Big-day paddle-out is serious. No defined channel at Stockroute or Pines, sets come through in quick succession, ex-pros have been held down and snapped boards on the exit. Honest self-assessment required.
• Whales at the Okitu end is the family and longboard option. Mixed sand-and-rock bottom, long open faces, rarely barrels, sheltered from NE wind. The name comes from the 18 March 1970 mass stranding of 59 sperm whales along this stretch. That event was the catalyst for New Zealand's Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978.
• Live cam check. Blitz Surf Shop's Wainui cam (blitzsurf.co.nz/pages/wainui-beach) points at the No Access section near the southern end. Use it before driving up. If it shows cross-shore chop or a blown-out mess, Midway in town will likely be cleaner.
• Local culture. The Gisborne crew is one of the best surf communities in New Zealand: skilled, welcoming to those who approach with humility, and proud of a break that deserves more recognition than it gets outside the region. Sit wide your first session and the locals will hoot you into waves once they see you can surf.

• Powerful rips at Stockroute, Pines and Schools. No defined channel, expect heavy duck-diving to get out back.
• Sucky drops and freight-train barrels. Boards snap regularly at Stockroute and Pines.
• Headhigh-and-up is intermediate-to-expert only at the main peaks. Genuinely dangerous for beginners when it is on.
• Localism is real at the more competitive peaks. Show respect, sit wide for your first session, and earn the lineup.
• Gisborne and East Cape is NZ's most documented shark sighting zone. Sightings happen, particularly late summer through autumn.

Getting there

Wainui Beach, 6-8 km east of Gisborne on Wainui Road (SH35 north-coast route). 5 to 10 minute drive from the city. Multiple beach access points off the main road, one per surf section.

Parking

Dedicated carparks at each main section: Stockroute (Oneroa Road), No Access (with stairs and playground), Schools (near Wainui School), Pines (large carpark with pine trees), Chalet (expansive carpark), Lone Pine and Whales. Drive the full length to scope which bank looks best before committing.

Toilets & showers

Public toilets and communal cold showers at Wainui Surf Life Saving Club (men, women, and an accessible toilet). Beach rinse hoses at the Pines carpark.

Shops, cafes & fuel

Blitz Surf Shop in Wainui village for boards, wax, repairs and the live cam. Wainui Beach Cafe at the southern end for coffee. Full supermarket and fuel in Gisborne (5 to 10 minutes south).

Accommodation

Ocean Beach motel in Wainui village (15 suites, walking distance to Stockroute). Beachfront baches via Bookabach with around 20 properties across Wainui. Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park in Gisborne city (cabins, motels, powered sites) is the closest holiday park.

Camping

Freedom camping limited to self-contained vehicles only at The Pines carpark (4 vehicles max) and at Makorori just north (8 max). Non-self-contained vehicles head to Waikanae Beach TOP 10 in town. From 7 June 2026, GDC requires a new Certified Green Warrant for restricted-area freedom camping.