| If an African safari is the one to go for if you are | | | | ranging from two to ten feet in height. They are |
| interested in wildlife tourism, then the 'surfari' is | | | | generally long-walled, gather a lot of swell, and |
| the one to go for in New Zealand if you are | | | | consistent with occasional barrels. Raglan also has |
| looking for exciting surfing action. That is because | | | | had the distinction of holding a world championship |
| New Zealand is blessed with a coastline stretching | | | | in surfing. To get to Raglan, fly into Auckland on |
| 6000kms, and there are numerous access points | | | | the north island, pickup your campervan or car |
| to its pristine beaches, reefs and points. The two | | | | hire from the airport or city and set off on the |
| principal islands - the North and the South Islands - | | | | drive south west. |
| constitute this country and water sport lovers | | | | Stent Road has a world class wave quality that |
| thus have a plethora of options in front of them | | | | will challenge even the most experienced surfers. |
| to explore the surrounding waters of the islands, | | | | The wave type is the Point-break, with the swell |
| and indulge in their favourite sport. | | | | size beginning at a metre and holding up to 12 |
| Surfing is thus a hugely popular sport and the | | | | feet. It is crowded throughout the week and the |
| amazing diversity of surf breaks provide just the | | | | best time to visit it is during the mid and high |
| right setting for this sport. Since New Zealand is | | | | tides. You need to be careful about the rocks at |
| insular shaped, it enables people to switch | | | | this place, though. |
| between coasts quite conveniently. The North | | | | The Coromandel is full of clear beaches and one |
| Island is home to as many as 260 surf spots and | | | | of the well known, as well as difficult, surf spots is |
| is divided into 10 subzones, as compared to the | | | | the Double Brown. It has a river mouth wave |
| South which has only 87 surf spots and 5 | | | | type, with a swell size that starts at just over |
| subzones. Moreover, the warm temperature of | | | | 3.5m and holds itself all the way to more than |
| the North Island waters is a great facilitating | | | | 16ft. This surf spot is not crowded at all and that |
| factor. The waters in the South are much colder | | | | has to do with the level of difficulty it presents |
| and you will need neoprene cover to venture into | | | | even to the most experienced surfers. The best |
| them. | | | | time to visit is during low tide. |
| The history of surfing goes back to the time | | | | The wave quality at Pommy Reef is Totally Epic, |
| when Captain James Cook stopped at Hawaii on | | | | and this is another surf spot that is ideal for the |
| his way to the northwest coast of America. | | | | pros. The crowds gather only on weekends, and |
| After he was killed due to a misadventure on his | | | | the swell size can top 16ft. You need to guard |
| part, it was Lieutenant James King who took over | | | | against urchins, rocks and sharks at this place. |
| as First Lieutenant of the Discovery ship and took | | | | Fitzroy Beach near New Plymouth is yet another |
| upon himself the onerous task of completing the | | | | popular surf spot that has excellent beach breaks |
| narrative part of Cook's journals. It was at this | | | | stimulated by the westerly winds, which also |
| time that he described the sport of surfboard | | | | produces heavy swells and hollow waves through |
| riding in two full pages. This was after he saw the | | | | the beach length. The surf quality is consistent, |
| locals engaged in this sport at Kealakekua Bay. | | | | with the best time being winter and autumn. The |
| Let us look at the top five surf spots in this | | | | closest break is at a distance of 3kms. |
| wonderful country. | | | | It is therefore not a surprise that the Kiwis take |
| Raglan on the North Island must rank as the best | | | | a lot of pride and draw inspiration from the above |
| and most famous surf spot thanks to its series | | | | surf spots as well as from surf stars like Bobby |
| of wonderful surf breaks, such as Indicators, | | | | Hansen, and Maz and Jay Quinn, and take to this |
| Manu Bay, Whale Bay and so on. In fact Manu | | | | sport with great enthusiasm whenever they get |
| Bay featured in the 1966 movie 'The Endless | | | | the opportunity, and you will too. |
| Summer'. The breaks here extend up to 600m, | | | | |