Orewa

Orewa is a sheltered beach break located on the Hibiscus Coast north of Auckland, facing northeast into the Tasman Sea. The spot features a sandy beach with an extensive shallow lagoon system visible in the satellite imagery, separated from the ocean by sandbars. The lagoon provides protected water but becomes exposed mudflats at low tide. Wave energy is minimal (0.34m average), making this suitable for light-wind progression rather than power sessions. Best conditions occur with northwest to north winds providing side-shore flow across the northeast-facing beach. Wind reliability is low at 8.1%, so sessions are inconsistent. Water temperature averages 16°C, requiring thermal protection. The spot suits beginners and intermediates seeking flat-water practice or small-wave sessions. Key considerations include timing around tidal cycles to avoid mudflat exposure, monitoring the narrow lagoon channel for current effects, and being aware of proximity to residential development. The choppy water conditions indicate mixed swell and wind-generated texture rather than clean groundswell.