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Surf spot guide · East Cape, New Zealand
Powerful right-hand point break over boulders and sand at Cook's Cove, firing on big swells with hollow barrel sections.
A heavy right-hand point break tucked into Cook's Cove at the southern end of Tolaga Bay. The wave breaks over a boulder and sand bottom, producing a powerful, hollow drop with solid wall sections and barrel opportunities on the inside. The takeoff is critical, with bowly, welling-up faces that demand commitment and precise positioning. Needs a substantial swell to get going - works on anything from NE through to S, with due east being the optimal angle. Southerly winds groom the face to perfection. The 25-minute walk along the Cook's Cove track from Tolaga Bay wharf filters out casual visitors, and the wave only breaks properly at low tide, keeping the lineup empty most sessions. Additional reef setups exist around Mitre Rocks and off Pourewa Island for those willing to explore. Strong rips and submerged rocks demand respect - this is experienced-surfer territory in every sense. Rides run 100-200 metres on a good one, making the hike worthwhile when everything aligns.
Hollow drop over boulder and sand where the 25-minute walk keeps the lineup empty.
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Rarely crowded. The 25-minute walk-in and expert-level wave keep numbers extremely low even when conditions line up.
Remote, powerful, earned
East Cape
East Cape rivermouth bar with a hollow right and shorter left — the highlight of an otherwise average beachbreak.
East Cape
Exposed beachbreak with multiple peaks over uneven reef and sand north of Gisborne.
East Cape
Hollow, powerful right-hand point break north of Tolaga Bay with three distinct sections over boulders and sand.
+9 MORE →Low tide only — wave shuts down as the tide rises, outgoing tide preferred, 25-minute walk in from Tolaga Bay wharf so bring everything you need, check other reefs around Mitre Rocks if the point is maxing out
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Submerged rocks and boulders near Mitre Rocks and Pourewa Island
Remote location with no parking or facilities. Experts-only reef break around Mitre Rocks and Pourewa Island with difficult entry.
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