This is a place for experienced surfers only, and although it’s fickle and breaks only rarely it does provide big waves that are probably the closest that New Zealand gets to Hawaii.
It is a very quiet spot, you need to be close by when it breaks as it doesn’t last long so many people just don’t bother with it. If you are here when it goes, chances are you’ll be out on your own.
The swell on the north east coast needs to be over 4m before this place will work, so check it out carefully before coming down. You need a good wind coming from the northwest, west, southwest or south and the swell to come from the north or northeast for it to perform best, when it will start at about 3m and hold up to over 5m on the best days. More typically you’ll find it is a couple of metres though, with the best conditions during a storm. It works at all tide positions and on both rising and falling tides, it is a point break to the left and the right, and the waves are hollow, fast and powerful. Length is average and maxes out at about 150m most of the time, but can be excellent and reach over 400m during storm swells.
Orere Point is a decent sized town that has a holiday park and a few places to eat, drink etc. The beach has no facilities but you can camp here if you want, and parking is only 5 minutes walk from the shore.
The bottom is volcanic rock and covered in oysters, so wear boots if you want to avoid shredding your feet.
