Flying Nun Backpackers

Beaches

From the beach breaks of Midway and Wainui, to the point and reef breaks of Makorori, and the power and perfection of Tuamotu Island, there is something here for every surfer. We've got miles of sandy beaches and crystal blue waves with uncrowded and unspoiled coastline.

There is also good surfing further up the coast north of Gisborne and at Mahia peninsula to the south on the main road to Napier.

Our beaches can be surfed all year round. We have the most consistent surf and the longest stretch of coastline with accessible and surfable beaches in New Zealand. The surf is bigger in winter (June-September) but it is cold and a good wetsuit is needed.

 

The water temperatures are warm enough here in summer (November to March) so you can surf all day and the ambient air temperatures stay around 30 degrees Celsius daily.

 

For a comprehensive guide to the beaches, reefs and points visit the Gisbornenz site. A guide to camping grounds, tent sites and amenities closest to the surf spots and beaches is also supplied so you can escape anytime for a trek up the coast. Most of the surf beaches are within 60 kms of Gisborne if you drive up the Pacific coast highway or alternatively you can go inland from Gisborne to Opotiki via the scenic Waioeka gorge. This is a great drive with plenty of viewing sites and bushwalks with the promise of excellent swimming and surf beaches at the other end.

  

For a complete synopsis of daily real-time Gisborne surf reports, New Zealand surf forecasts, real-time beach web cameras, surfing picture galleries, surf events, the New Zealand Surfing Guide, surf news and stories visit the surf2surf website. They have opposition sites catering for boaties and both have great  info. Try NZ snow. The sites are real time and comprehensive.

 

Even if you are not surfing you can drive the 334 km loop to Opotiki around the coast. This is a six hour road tour that encapsulates the coastal beauty and rural charisma of one of the least travelled corners of New Zealand. This is largely a remote and untouched region that is well worth the effort to view.

 

 

So whatever you are doing, Flying Nun is central enough to base your holidays in the East Cape from.

 

 

Surfing Lessons

 

We recommend Tyler White. A Brit who is Sunride Surf School. He likes Gizzy so much he decided to stay on for the summer. 

 

Tyler offers really affordable surfing lessons for the absolute beginner and grommet. He also knows where all the best surf spots are for the day. Boards (and suits if you need them) are supplied and his prices are the best in town!

 

He operates from Waikanae Beach (the city beach), which is only a five minute walk from Flying Nun.