Kite spot on water · New Zealand

Bell Block, Taranaki

Name: Bell Block, Taranaki
Address: NZ

Riders have kited it in SW.

Show on the map-39.0172, 174.1450

Works in: SW
Nearest airport: NPLNew Plymouth Airport, 3 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

worksno reports

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

From riders

What you need to know

Who it suits: The inside beach break is used by beginner surfers/bodyboarders; the reef is not recommended for inexperienced surfers.
Size of the area: The beach is 250 meters long.

Watch out for

Pebble, gravel, and rock beach; very shallow and dangerous reef 250-500 m from shore.community map

Parking

Large parking lot by the beach.capacity: approx. 100 cars · community map

Getting there

5 km from downtown New Plymouth and 2 km from State Highway 3.community map

Conditions

Gravel, rock, and iron sand beach; from mid to low tide there is a small sandy section at the NE end. Creek at the SW end. The inside beach break does not have very good waves, while the reef has good waves in SW wind.community map

Riders' tips

Walking south along the beach can reveal good options.community map

Facilities

Small grassy area with shade and BBQ tables behind the beach.community map

In riders' own words

„The reef has good waves during a southwest wind.“
„The reef is very shallow and dangerous and is not advised to inexperienced surfers.“
„Bell Block Beach is 250 metres in length“
„The beach has a good sized car park that can accommodate around 100 cars.“
„Bell Block is located five kilometers from central city New Plymouth and two kilometers from State Highway 3.“
„Although the beach is mainly rocks and gravel, a small sandy section is exposed to the northeast end from mid to low tide.“
„Behind the beach is a small grassy reserve with shade and BBQ tables“
„A walk south along the beach can reveal some interesting options.“

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.

12.1Jan6.2

11.3Feb5.8

11.9Mar6.1

12.6Apr6.5

14.0May7.2

15.0Jun7.7

14.7Jul7.6

13.9Aug7.2

14.4Sep7.4

14.2Oct7.3

13.4Nov6.9

12.5Dec6.4

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

Values by month

January	12.1 knots · 6.2 m/s
February	11.3 knots · 5.8 m/s
March	11.9 knots · 6.1 m/s
April	12.6 knots · 6.5 m/s
May	14.0 knots · 7.2 m/s
June	15.0 knots · 7.7 m/s
July	14.7 knots · 7.6 m/s
August	13.9 knots · 7.2 m/s
September	14.4 knots · 7.4 m/s
October	14.2 knots · 7.3 m/s
November	13.4 knots · 6.9 m/s
December	12.5 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.