Surf: The wave with the best credentials is undoubtedly Mangamaunu, along SH1 highway. This Rincon-like, right pointbreak is a beauty, aided by its proximity to the snow-covered Kaikoura Range. The dense, cool, katabatic winds descend from the mountains creating offshores that blow every morning and can blow all day in winter, despite the prevailing NE winds. The walls are hollow but not too powerful and long, cruisey rides are the norm. Big NE-E swells will result in epic conditions, while S-SE swells create more rips. Directions: From Kaikoura Drive north on State Highway 1 for about 10mins, until you cross the Hapuku River and pass Hapuku. When the road meets the coast line again it will go around a sweeping left hand bend and you will see Mangamaunu peeling off the point. Indicate early and pull off to the left and park up. Watch out for the Traffic and Trains when crossing the road. Environment: Guaranteed always crowded, because the consistency is only average and the good NE days are even rarer. There are other alternative pointbreaks close-by, like Graveyards, further out on the headland.