Otaki Rivermouth / North Island / New Zealand

This is another of those fickle spot that you would have to be fairly lucky to catch when it is working properly, but it's a decent enough spot when it is working. It is suitable for surfers of all ability levels.

The beach consists of a long strip of sand, and is quite wide with plenty of room.  This is an empty spot on weekdays, and usually fairly quiet at weekends unless it is really going off in which case it can get busy.

It is a bit hit and miss, but in this place is quite work it needs the swell to be coming from the north or the north-west, a rising tide, and the water at the low or mid tide position. The break is right in front of the river mouth, it goes both right and left, and the waves are hollow and fast when they are working, starting at about 1 m and holding up to 2 or 2.5 m. Length is usually short and will be around 50 m, unless you catch it on a very good day when it can be up to 150 m.

There are no facilities at the rivermouth, and Otaki Beach which is just to the north is mainly residential.  Further inland is Otaki town, and this has a few shops, places to eat and drink and accommodation. If you want to base yourself in Wellington instead, then this spot is still within day trip range.

There really isn't anything to worry about here. Plenty of locals come down when conditions are good, and they will be friendly if you are.