Rent a surfboard in Kaikōura: the questions we get asked

Is there surf in Kaikōura?
On its day, some of the best in NZ.

Can we surf in town?
Sometimes at Gooches, but it very rarely breaks because it’s too sheltered from the swells. Most of the surfing is north of town. Drive about 10 minutes up State Highway 1 to Kiwa Road and you’ll find a local beach called Graveyards. It’s a good beachy with fun waves on its day. It sits right in front of a local Māori cemetery, hence the name.

Are there sandy beaches?
Not really. All our beaches are round boulder beaches, which makes getting in and out a little tricky. There’s a bit of sand at Okiwi Bay, about 25 minutes’ drive north, and it’s surfable in the north corner. Oaro, about 20 minutes south, is the other option.

Can we rent a surfboards at Coastal Sports?
Yes. We’ve got a great range, from learner-friendly boards to everything in between, and we can supply 4/3 wetsuits with them as well.

How do we get the boards up there?
In your vehicle. Most vehicles can take an 8ft foamie, and we can supply soft racks for the roof.

Is there a surf shuttle?
There’s no surf shuttle, but Kaikōura Shuttles runs a taxi service.

How big is it?
Surf here changes fast. The wind is unpredictable and the tides make a big difference. Surf-Forecast’s Meatworks forecast is good for the wind and general swell size, but take it as a guide only, because the reports are often wrong here. Pop in and ask us.

Do I need booties?
Most locals don’t wear booties in summer, because the rocks aren’t sharp. We’ve got a limited size range for hire, and we sell a good range of surf booties, hoods and gloves.

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