CS2027 dates

Kite spot on water · New Zealand

Ahu Ahu Rd, Taranaki

Practical notes from riders: launch, parking and what to watch out for.

Show on the map-39.1145, 173.9316
Watch out
S
Nearest airport
NPLNew Plymouth Airport, 24 km

Forecast and webcams

Before you go

Forecasts often disagree. When Windguru, ALADIN and Windy agree, it is worth going.

Tips for this spot

  • Offshore wind carries you away from land. Do not ride it without a rescue boat.
  • When a storm is coming, get out of the water and land the kite at once. Gusts before a storm are violent and a kite overhead is the highest point around.
  • New spot: ask locals about shallows, currents and where people launch.

On site

Wind and riding area

NNNENEENEEESESESSESSSWSWWSWWWNWNWNNWNESW

does not work / gustyno reports

Direction the wind blows from. Based on riders' experience, not a forecast.

Pparking

From riders

What you need to know

Who it suits
The left-hand wave at the SW end suits beginners; the right-hand wave at the NE end is for experienced wave riders only.
Watch out S
South wind blows offshore.

Watch out for

  • The right-hand wave at the NE end is very fast and steep, breaks in shallow water very close to the rocks, and has caused a lot of damage.community map

Parking

  • Car park about 400 m from the spot, free.OpenStreetMap

Getting there

  • 6 km drive west of Oakura Beach or about a 2 km walk along the beach.community map

Conditions

  • Two main wave breaks: a mellow left-hander at the SW end and a very fast, heavy, hollow right-hander at the NE end in shallow water. Both work best at low tide with a big S swell.community map

Facilities

  • Overnight accommodation at Ahu Ahu Villas.community map
In riders' own words
  • „Both waves work best at low tide and in a large southerly swell (offshore in a southerly wind).“
  • „Firstly the gentle left hander off the southwest end which is suitable for learners.“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/704479259“
  • „Ahu Ahu Road is located six kilometres drive west of Oakura Beach but only around two kilometres walk along the beach.“
  • „The right hander breaks in shallow water very close to rocks and is only recommended for experienced wave riders. Even then a lot of damage has been caused.“
  • „The Ahu Ahu Villas are a cool overnight stay.“

Photos from the area

Semicircular rainbow in Taranaki
Semicircular rainbow in Taranaki · 478 m from the spot
Tom Ackroyd, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Wind by month

When it blows

Average wind speed 10 m above ground from NASA POWER (MERRA-2, 2001–2025). The model works on a grid of roughly 50 km; on hills and by the water the wind is often stronger and gustier.

windiest monthsaverage wind in knots, NASA POWER; below the month in m/s

Values by month
January12.1 knots · 6.2 m/s
February11.3 knots · 5.8 m/s
March11.9 knots · 6.1 m/s
April12.6 knots · 6.5 m/s
May14.0 knots · 7.2 m/s
June15.0 knots · 7.7 m/s
July14.7 knots · 7.6 m/s
August13.9 knots · 7.2 m/s
September14.4 knots · 7.4 m/s
October14.2 knots · 7.3 m/s
November13.4 knots · 6.9 m/s
December12.5 knots · 6.4 m/s

Nearby

More spots within 60 km

Been there?

Add what you know

Parking changed, a new ban, a new obstacle in the water? Tell us, we will check it and update the page.

Sources: Community map “Kitesurfing spots in NZ” (Google My Maps). Wind NASA POWER, airports OurAirports, photos Wikimedia Commons (author and licence with each photo). As of 17 October 2026. These are riders' reports; local rules change, so look around before you ride and follow local signs.

A week on the water

Kite safari in the Red Sea

8 days on a yacht from Hurghada to the islands of the northern Red Sea. Next departure 7-14 November 2026, the 2027 dates are coming soon.

See the safari

The safari is organised by Mohamed of Paradise Kitesurf Red Sea. I've known him for years and we work together.