Raglan & Ngarunui Beach
Whāingaroa / Ngarunui Beach
A surf town on the west coast of the North Island. The black-sand Ngarunui Beach has lifeguards and surf schools, making it an ideal place to learn to surf.
Raglan (Māori name: Whāingaroa) is about a 45-minute drive from Hamilton. It is one of New Zealand's best-known surf towns. The town has hippie-style cafés, small art shops, and a harbor footbridge. Just outside town, Ngarunui Beach is a wide black volcanic sand beach. In summer, lifeguards patrol it, and visitors should swim between the flags. The waves are gentle, and several surf schools offer lessons here. Two to three hours cost about NZ$100, including a board and wetsuit. A lookout above the beach offers views over the whole coastline. You can also make a detour to Manu Bay to watch skilled surfers and to Bridal Veil Falls. Note that the west coast has strong rip currents, so do not go into the water outside the patrolled areas.
Opening hours
Open all day (lifeguards on duty about 10:00–18:00 in summer)
Nearby sights
- Manu Bay
- Whale Bay & Indicators
- Kopua Footbridge (Raglan Footbridge)
- Raglan Town & Bow Street
- Raglan Wharf
- Mount Karioi
- Ruapuke Beach
- Bridal Veil Falls (Wairēinga)