Haumoana / North Island / New Zealand

Another rivermouth break, this one will suit experienced surfers who like waves that provide a bit of a challenge. 

It’s a fairly quiet place on weekdays, although there may well be a handful of surfers out even then, but it can get fairly crowded at weekends as there isn’t a great deal of space anyway.  Temperatures are typical for the Hawkes Bay area, with the sea getting to around 20 C in summer and 12 – 14 C in winter.

This is a fairly regular break, and will go off regardless of the tide position or whether it is rising or falling.  It is best with the wind coming from the northwest, west or southwest and the swell from the south, southeast, east or northeast.  Typically, the swell will start at less than 1m and hold up to a maximum height of about 3m.  Breaking only to the right, over flat rocks in front of the rivermouth, the waves here are hollow and powerful but not too fast.  Length is decent, and ranges from 50 m to 150 m on a good day. 

Haumoana is a very small place, but it does at least have a general store and a takeaway.  Napier city is only a short drive to the north though, and as the biggest population centre around and a popular tourist destination it offers everything you need. 

As usual where a fast flowing river meets the ocean, you’re going to get some strong currents, so be aware of them.