The Best Surfing Spots in and Around Christchurch, New Zealand
With more than 15,000km – 9,321mi – of coastline to choose from, New Zealand is a surfer’s dream. Christchurch on the South Island has many epic surf spots, but they’re not for the faint-hearted.
1. Beginner’s luck at Scarborough Beach
Natural Feature
Just a 25-minute drive from central Christchurch, Scarborough Beach in Sumner is a great place for beginners to get their feet wet and try standing on the board for the first time. The beach is broken up by rocky outcrops, and the sheltered bay is home to easy foamies that are perfect for beginners with longboards who want to give surfing a go. Hire equipment and book a lesson with Learn to Surf or Stoked Surf School, both based in Sumner.
2. Barrels at New Brighton
Natural Feature
One of Christchurch’s longest beaches, New Brighton is a popular spot for watersports and is home to the South New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club. Just 10km (6mi) from the Christchurch city centre, New Brighton Beach has a long pier and can get pretty busy on summer days. The beach is good for beginner to intermediate surfers, and you can get ocean views from all angles in the properties that stretch along New Brighton Beach.
3. Southeasterly swells at Taylors Mistake
Natural Feature
A more popular surf spot in Christchurch is Taylors Mistake, located between Sumner and Lyttelton. Taylors Mistake has slightly bigger waves up to 2.5m (8ft). Surfing in this stop works in big northerly and easterly swells, but it’s best in a southeasterly swell. The beach “relies on its banks for the quality of waves,” according to the Christchurch City Libraries, which say that the bay was historically “clouded in mystery and maritime drama.” The exact origin of the name, including who Taylor was and what the mistake was, is linked to two separate incidents – records show that the bay was referred to by this name as far back as 1853.
5. Point break in Magnet Bay
Natural Feature
A 69km (43mi) drive from Christchurch, Magnet Bay is one of several bays around the Banks Peninsula famous for its left-hand point break. The adventure begins before you even hit the board. Getting into the water can be a challenge because of the sharp boulders. The best time to hit the waves is at low to mid-tide. Look out for seals and light a fire after your surf to warm up in one of the caves. Magnet Bay is a haven for the more experienced surfer, and the experienced surfer never wants to be too far from the sea.
6. Scenic surf at Kaikoura
Natural Feature, Park
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.