Where the Waikato meets the Tasman Sea, the road runs out at Raglan — Whāingaroa — a small harbour town that surfers around the world know by name. It is laid-back, a little bohemian, and one of the most enjoyable places in the region to do very little.
The surf
Raglan's fame rests on its waves. Manu Bay — immortalised in the 1966 film The Endless Summer — is a point break that peels for hundreds of metres on the right swell, one of the longest and most consistent left-handers anywhere. Whale Bay and Indicators add more world-class reef breaks nearby. You don't have to surf to enjoy it: the headland is a fine place to watch from.
For beginners, the black-sand beach at Ngarunui is the place to learn, with surf schools, board hire and patrolled swimming in summer.
Beyond the waves
The town itself is full of weatherboard cafés, galleries and craft studios, with a easygoing creative energy. Above it all rises Mount Karioi, an extinct volcano with a steep, rewarding hiking track and views back along the coast. Kayaking and paddleboarding on the sheltered harbour are gentler alternatives.
Getting there
Raglan is about 45 minutes' drive west of Hamilton on State Highway 23 — an easy day trip, though many find a reason to stay the night. The beaches are a short drive from the town centre.
When to go
Summer brings the warmest water and the liveliest town; autumn and winter bring the bigger, cleaner swells that draw serious surfers. Sunsets over the Tasman are spectacular year-round.
Holiday-In-Waikato is an independent guide. We do not sell tickets — please check the official operator for current times, prices and bookings.