Motukaraka Island, New Zealand is a Shallow and Flat spot. It is a kitesurfing spot for Intermediate riders, but Expert will love it.
Recommended
wind for kitesurfing is
wind coming
from
SW and WSW, W
.
Recommended
tide for kitesurfing is
Low Tide,Coming Tide,Falling Tide
.
Have fun after the ride: enjoy
Nightlife
close to Motukaraka Island, New Zealand !
The spot presents a few things you need to be careful about.
Please refer to the
Riding Conditions section
below.
Motukaraka Island, New Zealand is a Shallow and Flat spot. It is a kitesurfing spot for Intermediate riders, but Expert will love it.
Recommended
wind for kitesurfing is
wind coming
from
SW and WSW, W
.
Recommended
tide for kitesurfing is
Low Tide,Coming Tide,Falling Tide
.
Have fun after the ride: enjoy
Nightlife
close to Motukaraka Island, New Zealand !
The spot presents a few things you need to be careful about.
Please refer to the
Riding Conditions section
below.
How to get there
From the Airport drive to Howick (get the map out for this) and then drive to Whitford. Then drive past Formosa golf course. After that take the next left and drive to the end veering right at the curved intersection. This will take you through the township of Beachlands. At the end of the shops turn left into Second View ave. Drive to the end where you turn right at a t-junction. Drive to the end where you will see a reserve on the left with very limited parking (a ditch and a dirt road/driveway). At the end of the reserve are some steps which takes you down to the beach/sand spit. If mid tide you may have to ford some shallow rock pools.
From the Airport drive to Howick (get the map out for this) and then drive to Whitford. Then drive past Formosa golf course. After that take the next left and drive to the end veering right at the curved intersection. This will take you through the township of Beachlands. At the end of the shops turn left into Second View ave. Drive to the end where you turn right at a t-junction. Drive to the end where you will see a reserve on the left with very limited parking (a ditch and a dirt road/driveway). At the end of the reserve are some steps which takes you down to the beach/sand spit. If mid tide you may have to ford some shallow rock pools.
Riding Conditions in Motukaraka Island, New Zealand
Riding Conditions
Wind and Weather Conditions
Water temp in the 20s°C in summer and in the teens in winter. Air temp likewise. Wetsuit is recommended.
Recommended
wind for kitesurfing is
wind coming
from
SW and WSW, W
.
Best time to ride here is during spring but as this spot gets wind from most directions it suits anytime of the year. Spring brings strong westerly and WSW winds, OFTEN over 20 knots and frequently over 30knots. This place can channel the wind so if the Tamaki meter is gusting 25 knots then expect it to be peaking at over 30 knots here. No holes either but the odd power gust. It's mainly a SW spot but this place can work in anything but E and SE. Winter is also quite good here too. In fact this place is pretty much kicking ass anytime of the year due to it's versatility.
Wind
usually
blows
from WSW and W
on the spot.
The
best moments to come
to Motukaraka Island, New Zealand are
September, October and November
.
Wind and Weather Conditions
Wind and Weather Conditions
Water temp in the 20s°C in summer and in the teens in winter. Air temp likewise. Wetsuit is recommended.
Recommended
wind for kitesurfing is
wind coming
from
SW and WSW, W
.
Best time to ride here is during spring but as this spot gets wind from most directions it suits anytime of the year. Spring brings strong westerly and WSW winds, OFTEN over 20 knots and frequently over 30knots. This place can channel the wind so if the Tamaki meter is gusting 25 knots then expect it to be peaking at over 30 knots here. No holes either but the odd power gust. It's mainly a SW spot but this place can work in anything but E and SE. Winter is also quite good here too. In fact this place is pretty much kicking ass anytime of the year due to it's versatility.
Wind
usually
blows
from WSW and W
on the spot.
The
best moments to come
to Motukaraka Island, New Zealand are
September, October and November
.
Beach and Tide Conditions
Recommended
tide for kitesurfing is
Low Tide,Coming Tide,Falling Tide
.
Motukaraka Island, New Zealand is a
Shallow and Flat spot.
The
launching/landing area
is reported to be of
Tidal size.
It's a sandbar that disappears at high tide. Covered with shells. Self launching can be an issue and this place is hard on the gear. Plenty of room though and pretty safe. Entry is via steps at the end of Beachlands via a reserve. As the walk from the car can be quite a hike up and down steps the best option is to wear your wetsuit to avoid two trips.
A 200m long sandbar connecting the mainland with a small flat island (hence out nickname). This spot disappears at high tide but works mint as at mid tide. Also works well at low tide but it's a 200m walk to waters edge from rigging area. At mid tide water is flat on the leeward side of spit. In the water there are some nasty rocks, engines submerged at near low tide, stay away from the shore is my best advice if you don't wanna wreck your board.
Beach and Tide Conditions
Beach and Tide Conditions
Recommended
tide for kitesurfing is
Low Tide,Coming Tide,Falling Tide
.
Motukaraka Island, New Zealand is a
Shallow and Flat spot.
The
launching/landing area
is reported to be of
Tidal size.
It's a sandbar that disappears at high tide. Covered with shells. Self launching can be an issue and this place is hard on the gear. Plenty of room though and pretty safe. Entry is via steps at the end of Beachlands via a reserve. As the walk from the car can be quite a hike up and down steps the best option is to wear your wetsuit to avoid two trips.
A 200m long sandbar connecting the mainland with a small flat island (hence out nickname). This spot disappears at high tide but works mint as at mid tide. Also works well at low tide but it's a 200m walk to waters edge from rigging area. At mid tide water is flat on the leeward side of spit. In the water there are some nasty rocks, engines submerged at near low tide, stay away from the shore is my best advice if you don't wanna wreck your board.
Need to know
There is
no beach users
reported here.
When you are on water,
be careful
of
Rocks
.
Beach risk reported:
Shells
.
The is
no particular rules
reported
, but as a best practice,
talk to a local before you go on water.
Need to know
Need to know
There is
no beach users
reported here.
When you are on water,
be careful
of
Rocks
.
Beach risk reported:
Shells
.
The is
no particular rules
reported
, but as a best practice,
talk to a local before you go on water.
Best to get here well before mid tide incoming. And best to have departed before 2 hrs before high tide. Tide comes in pretty fast and will wash your gear away if not careful about this. Also this spot is not for beginners due to nasty debris/rocks close to shore and hidden dangers. And unless you are powered and are a competent kiter stay away from the leeward side of the spit, a number of people (including myself) have had to self rescue due to drifting too far downwind, others have had to be rescued by locals. Just be careful here. Definitely leash your kite, next stop is Waiheke Island.
Webcams around Motukaraka Island, New Zealand
Webcams around Motukaraka Island, New Zealand
Weather Forecast for the next 10days
Wind and Temperature over the past years
Wind and Temperature over the past years
More about Kitesurfing in New Zealand
More about New Zealand
Wind stats in New Zealand...
Additional information
There are 3 kitesurf schools and 104 kitesurf spots in New Zealand.
Best months: January February March April May September October November December
Best months: January February March April May September October November December
