90 Mile Beach surf guide

90 Mile Beach is known as one of the longest virgin beaches on earth, and it stretches along the coastline of New Zealand. While it's a beautiful place to check out, it’s also marked as a National Highway at low tide, so keep that in mind if you're planning a trip. The beach has soft sand, and the incoming tides can catch people off guard, so it's important to have a 4WD vehicle; many people do get stuck here.

The surf at 90 Mile Beach can be a bit hit or miss. You'll find mainly small peaky swells, especially when the northeast winds are blowing, which can create decent conditions at The Bluff, the only headland about two-thirds of the way up the beach. The optimal swell direction is from the west, but it can also handle swells coming from the south and northwest. The waves typically break over sand, creating beach breaks that can give you both left and right waves. It's a good spot for beginners, as the swell size can be manageable, ranging from around 1ft (about 0.3 meters) up. Low to mid tide is usually the best time to go for a session.

Getting to the beach is straightforward, as there’s road access from Te Kao. There’s a simple camping area available if you want to stay the night. Just remember that the conditions can be blown-out and messy quite often, which might limit your surfing options. It’s a good spot to explore if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, but don’t expect it to be perfect every time.