Last updated on October 30th, 2023 at 12:22 pm
If you are looking for a surf camp in New Zealand, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find our top choices for a surf camp in New Zealand, where you can learn some new surfing skills and have a great time along the way.
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When choosing a surf camp in New Zealand, there are several key factors to consider. For instance, the level of accommodation, transportation, location, and budget are obviously important, but not as much as the experience of the surf instructors and their coaching tools. Moreover, your current surf level, your goals, and the kind of people you will meet are also crucial to make the best out of your surf vacation.
So let’s get right to it, in detail; these are the most recommended surf camps in New Zealand:
Up Surf Coaching, Raglan
UP Surf Camp focuses almost exclusively on creating coaching methods to fast-track the progress of beginners, intermediate-level surfers, and also experienced ones. This camp has a professional structure, but the vibe is relaxed and positive. You will enjoy hanging out and sharing stories with other surfers of a similar level and a coach who understands where you’re at and where you want to be. It offers small group surf lessons and courses with constant feedback, correct technique advice, and a complete approach with tips on forecasting, understanding waves, land-based training, and equipment advice.
For more details about surf camps in New Zealand, please click here.
Aotearoa Surf School, Te Arai
Surf lessons, camps, accommodation, rental boards, or a surf shop- this camp has a range of services to suit any age or experience level. Whether you want to start surfing from scratch, organize a team-building weekend away for your staff, or give your children the experience of a lifetime at the summer camp, Aotearoa Surf School can cater to your every need.
The surf lessons run year-round and are available for surfers of all skill levels. In fact, its location in Te Arai is rated Auckland’s number one beach on the East Coast (NZ Herald 2018). It boasts white sand, crystal clear blue water, and consistent waves, perfect for beginner and intermediate lessons. In addition to Te Arai, the camp has access to various other East Coast beaches, including Mangawhai, Orewa, Omaha, and Pakiri.
For more details about the best surf camps in New Zealand, please click here.
New Zealand Surf Academy
NZ Surf Academy is a respected surf company operating across Northland, Matakana Coasts, Orewa & Mount Maunganui. It promotes surfing education for schools, surf lessons, surf tours, holiday programs, corporate team building, family surf days, and women’s surf retreats. The skilled surf coaches, stunning locations, and pure love of the ocean make it a great place to stay. All education programs are designed to build confidence, encourage teamwork, and create a sense of fulfillment that only surfing can bring. Students will be learning to surf with qualified and experienced instructors, with safety as a priority.
For more details about all the surf camps in the area, please click here.
Muriwai Surf School
Muriwai Surf School is situated on Auckland’s beautiful West Coast, only 40 minutes from the central city. Its unique coastline is famous for fabulous sunsets and rugged landscapes. This area gets consistent waves all year long, with the best surf being through the summer months.
The camp offers the following programs:
Beginners- The perfect way to learn the basics of surfing, standing, and riding in the first lesson.
One-on-one Program: Have your own very private instructor.
Advanced beginner- a comprehensive program designed to get your surfing to the next level.
Ladies Dawn Attack- an excellent program for women looking to gain confidence and meet surfers at the same level.
Kids- your child will learn how to stay safe in the ocean while progressing their surf skills.
For more details about camps, retreats, and hotels, please click here.
Wellington Surf School
Wellington Surf School provides fun and enjoyable lessons for students of all ages and skill levels. It offers group lessons, private lessons, holiday programs, women’s programs, and surfing lessons for local schools. The school is situated at Lyall Bay Beach, and also go mobile to catch the best surf conditions on the Kapiti Coast and Castlepoint.
Wellington Surf School runs fun group classes, private lessons, team-building classes for local businesses, and a unique Schools Safe Surfing Program. In addition, it also offers beach yoga at Castlepoint Beach during the mornings before surf classes. All the instructors have trained with Surfing New Zealand (SNZ), and all courses are accredited by the International Surfing Association (ISA).
For more information about New Zealand surf camps, please click here.
Raglan Surf School
Raglan Surf School offers a wide range of surfing programs. The school aims to teach students to surf and conquer the waves with plenty of support, enthusiasm, and knowledge from passionate instructors. Not only will you learn to surf, but you will also learn essential water safety skills and build strong relationships with other surfers. There are plenty of options ranging from one class up to a whole week. The school provides all surfing equipment, surfboards that are easy to learn on, and a full range of wetsuits to keep you warm all year round. Lessons are approximately two hours per group and are scheduled around the best conditions.
For more details about surf camps and accommodation options, please click here.
West Coast Surf
This is where you can experience surfing at a stunning location on the West Coast of the South Island, Tauranga Bay. The beach provides beginners with a safe and invigorating environment to learn in, but also some world-class waves for the more experienced surfers. West Coast Surf offers lessons for new surfers and coaching for the more advanced ones looking to up their skills in the water.
Whatever your needs are, the school will provide a unique, safe, fun, and informative experience. Among the different programs, you can find the following:
All-In Starter Pack- for beginners who wish to surf for the first time.
Tips & Hints- for intermediates looking to work on their skills.
Personal Training.
Group experience.
For more details about the best surf camps in the country, please click here.
NZ Surf Bros
NZ Surfbros Surf School is based in Ahipara, a small town on the west coast at the base of a 90-mile beach, about a 4.5-hour drive from Auckland. It is a small business that is passionate about surfing and serving the community, the surfers, and visitors from all around the world so that they can experience this beautiful part of New Zealand.
Since being established back in 2012, it has worked with most of the schools in the far north region. The school’s vision is to promote surfing and deliver programs that encourage sport and fitness through water activity and having a whole lot of fun.
Shipwreck Bay is home to one of the best left-hand point breaks in NZ and will probably give surfers their longest rides ever. It is also a sand bottom point break, which means it is safe for beginners, too. In addition, there are loads of activities in this small coastal community, such as Horse Trekking along the 90-mile beach, riding a quad bike to stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, yoga, or just relaxing on the beach soaking up the sun with your favorite book.
For more information about surf camps in New Zealand, please click here.
Salt Water Eco
Established back in 2014, Saltwater Eco is a social enterprise that uses recreation and marine education to engage and connect people to their natural environments. It offers quality, eco-focused products with purpose. All the unique Saltwater’s offerings are designed to excite, energize, and, most importantly, increase the connection with New Zealand’s incredible natural environments.
The surf lessons run daily from Te Arai Beach and are organized around the tides, giving you the best possible conditions for surfing. Surf lessons are conducted at a relaxed pace and include a pre-surf stretch warm-up session, beach-based training, and lots of in-water practice time. The groups are small, and instructor-to-surfer ratios are conservative, enabling dedicated instructors to provide plenty of in-water support and feedback.
For more details about camps, hotels, and retreats, please click here.
Waihi Beach Surf School
This camp is situated on one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Waihi Beach. It is, without a doubt, an ideal beach to learn how to surf and one of the safest surf spots in New Zealand. With over 20 years of experience, Waihi Beach Surf School is owned and operated by Aidan Comrie, your qualified surf instructor. Within your first lesson, you’ll be riding waves and feeling the joy that is surfing.
Waihi Beach Surf School offers a range of lessons for adults, children, and holiday packages. The coaching method incorporates a land portion to learn about waves and test your balance and plenty of time in the water with the instructors to catch waves. In terms of coaching and safety, this is the highest standard you can get. All instructors are experienced surfers with the following qualifications: NZSA Surf Instructor Accreditation – Level 1 course and up, Qualified Beach Lifeguards,
For more details about surf schools and camps, please click here.
To sum up, these are the top surf camps in New Zealand. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter which one of them you choose, as they are all great and offer pretty much the same thing. What is most important, however, is your attitude toward the experience. Come with an open mind and ready to learn, practice, and make the best of it. You can improve your surfing skills drastically, meet new friends, and simply enjoy the adventure.
And remember, if surf camps are not your cup of tea, you can simply book a nice hotel in front of the waves and enjoy a good surf vacation at your own pace. Check out the best hotel deals on Booking.com.
Before you go, don’t forget to check out our post about the best beginner surf beaches in New Zealand, or the one about surf hotels in New Zealand.
