Hello all, I’m hoping to travel from the southeast US to New Zealand for the month of February with my husband. I surf, he does not; we’ve both wanted to travel to NZ for some time and agree it would be a great surf/couple trip. I have been surfing about 7 years and I’m an accomplished longboarder who just starting branching out to shorter boards about 2 years ago. Being from South Carolina, I don’t have much experience on big waves. So what I’m really looking for are places where the surf is nice and glassy and under head high.
I’ve read lots of guidebooks, done lots of internet research, and searched through the old listings on this forum. Just a few questions of the locals if I may:
Is it feasible to travel around via the train, Intercity bus and taxis and not rent a car? Our plan was to travel from Auckland via bus to a coastal city, spend a few days or weeks, then travel by bus somewhere else. No real iterinary. Can I take my surfboard on the bus/train?
Any suggestions on good surf towns/beaches? Of course I want to see Raglan, but other than that it seems so many choices. A friend suggested Whangamata for some lovely beaches/small town/glassy surf.
I would really like to take just one board for ease of travel, and I’m not sure what to take: 5’9 CI single fin, 6’6 Hobie slug fish, 7’2 Velzy egg, 9’2 Tak DT2. I’m leaning towards the 6’6 since it’s the most all-around board I have, but I’m sure there will be small days where I wish I had a longboard. Could I rent one if necessary?
I know that Dec/Jan are peak travel times, is Feb. any less crazy? Am I kidding myself thinking that we can get a double room in a North Island beachtown hostel by just showing up?
Should I bring a springsuit/shortsleeved fullsuit/3-2 fullsuit? Probably won’t be surfing the south island, just the north.
sounds like a great trip! i spent 3 1/2 months ther a few years back and will share what i think…
1)when i was there i bought a cheap car and ended up selling it for more than i paid. it offered freedom and a place to stay if the hostles are full.
i really enjoyed the freedom to explore. it’s an amazingly beautiful country, esp. the south island.
i’m pretty sure you can take your boards on the public transportation, but it seems an unnessary hassle, but busses and shuttles are fairly affordable too.
check the message boards for ride shares at the hostles when you get there… lots of rides and cars for sale.
2)there are so many places to try! i would stick with what you’re planning, no intenirary. the surprises are the best part of travel to me.
3)i agree, the 6’6". you can find places to rent the longer stuff, or maybe just make friends.
4)you can do alot over the web if you know where you’re going. if it’s an issue take a tent for backup. lots of beaches have places to camp.
5)i was pretty warm on the north island for the most part, but it can get pretty cold further south. me? i took a full suit and ended up using it eventually.
Not trying to be flippant but get an old van and camp out, stay longer, get husband a longboard, remove vital van part when at a good beach, think NZ citizen. . . talk to Groovn on http://www.snow.co.nz/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=8 he’s just emigrated. There are some great train journeys but you will need more time if you want to surf as well, Feb should be good for waves, March also.
Hiya Damaris & welcome to Sways You might want to PM Murph over on the other place. He had a trip a year or two ago that went well & his wife doesn’t surf…I don’t know if you saw his photos…gorgeous.
I’m with Simon: I could really use a break from the cold & the traffic right about now.