Three Points/Marau Point Surf Spot Guide — East Cape, New Zealand

Three distinct right-hand point sections wrap around a rocky headland north of Tolaga Bay, breaking over boulders and sand. The wave is hollow and fast with barrel sections, vertical takeoffs, and a bowly face that wells up and wraps around the point. Rides can connect through multiple sections for 200-500m on the right swell. Needs a solid east to southeast swell to start working properly, and west winds clean it up. Motuori Island offers additional rights in easterly swells. Access is the main challenge - reaching the break requires permission from a local farmer to cross private land, followed by an approximately 2km walk northeast from Kaiaua Beach over the headland. The remote access keeps crowds thin despite the wave quality being rated excellent. When the points are not firing, there are workable beachbreak peaks along Marau Beach as a fallback option. Strong rip currents and submerged rocks are the primary hazards.

Hollow rights wrapping three rocky points for 200 to 500 metres.

◉ Surf forecast

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Vitals

Skill levelAdvanced

BegIntAdv

Crowd

Rarely crowded due to remote access requiring a long hike and landowner permission. Even when working, the lineup sees only occasional surfers.

EmptyCrowded

Vibe / Localism

Wilderness, empty, adventurous

Best conditions

Swell window—

◈ Partners

Surf lessons & guides at Three Points/Marau Point, East Cape.

◉ Services nearby

◉ Nearby spots

If Three Points/Marau Point isn’t your day.

DistanceRating

Fair · TODAY

Cook's Point

East Cape

Powerful right-hand point break over boulders and sand at Cook's Cove, firing on big swells with hollow barrel sections.

Fair · TODAY

Tolaga Bay

East Cape

East Cape rivermouth bar with a hollow right and shorter left — the highlight of an otherwise average beachbreak.

Fair · TODAY

Loisells Beach

East Cape

Exposed beachbreak with multiple peaks over uneven reef and sand north of Gisborne.

+9 MORE →

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