Surfing Manu Bay: The Complete Guide

Manu Bay is a point break located in Raglan, New Zealand, offering a left-hander along New Zealand's coastline. Manu Bay is the inside section of New Zealand's famous Raglan point system—a long, peeling left that extends the ride from Indicators down to the harbor. Rated as advanced difficulty with crowded conditions, this point break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is WSW (240°), with workable conditions from SSW to W (210°–280°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Manu Bay needs a minimum of 0.8m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans NE to SE (50°–130°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.5m–2m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Manu Bay runs March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October (Mar–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: March-October best. Tasman Sea swells.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 17°C / 63°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is HLZ, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Access: Easy road access from Raglan town.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded
🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup

Can get crowded. Rocky entry.

Safety Tips:

Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically crowded (7/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Manu Bay? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Manu Bay is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*