This is one of the bigger waves in the area, but despite this it is still suitable for all experience levels as there is nothing particularly challenging about it. It's a convenient spot as it is right on the edge of a decent sized town and doesn't require too much planning to reach, unlike many of the other North Island spots.
The beach is quite small, but still gives more space than many of the surrounding areas. It is clean and sandy with volcanic rock at either end, and it is usually quiet during the week but crowded at weekends.
This place is good when the wind is blowing from the west or the south-west and the swell is coming in from the north-east. It works on both rising and falling tides, though you need to be here at mid or high tide position to get the most from it, and the swell will start working at 1.5 m and build up to about 3 m or so. It is a reef break, both right and left, and the waves are a bit ledgey but otherwise pretty ordinary with not much speed or power. Most of the time the length will be struggle to get beyond 50 m, but on a good day it can be approaching 150 m.
The beach doesn't have any facilities but as it is right on the edge of town you will be a lot of find shops, cafes etc within a short walk. Parking is less than 5 minutes walk away from the beach.
The rocks that make up the break and the bottom are the biggest hazard here, but you also want to keep one eye on some of the locals who might just drop in on you.