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  5. Motukaraka Island

Motukaraka Island

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New Zealand, Beachlands, New Zealand
Coordinates: -36.8816, 174.9810
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Ideal wind:
W
N
S
NE
E
SE
SW
NW
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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. 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. 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. Water temp in the 20s°C in summer and in the teens in winter. Air temp likewise. Wetsuit is recommended. Water: Shallow, Flat. Features: None. Rider ability: Intermediate, Expert.

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Live

Wind

9 kn

SW · gusts 18 kn

Waves

0.4 m

4s period

Swell

0.3 m

Tide

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Updated 24/08/2026, 00:18:27

Forecast

Mon 24Tue 25Wed 26Thu 27Fri 28Sat 29Sun 30SW00:00SW06:00SW12:00SW18:00SW00:00SW06:00SW12:00SW18:00W00:00W06:00W12:00W18:00W00:00NW06:00N12:00NE18:00N00:00N06:00N12:00N18:00NW00:00N06:00N12:00N18:00NW00:00S06:00SW12:00SW18:00
Wind scale
Max 30 kn
Max 1.0 m waves
Updated 24/08/2026, 00:18:27

Data: Open-Meteo

About this spot

Hazards

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. It's a sandbar that disappears at high tide.

Local rules

Source: Kiteforum.com (community-contributed). Verify locally before riding.

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