Longbeach Drive.

Longbeach Drive is a sand-bottom beachbreak on the lower west coast of the North Island, sitting just south of the Whanganui River mouth within easy reach of the city. The break produces A-frame peaks that offer both lefts and rights, though the shape is notably steep - expect short, punchy rides rather than long open-face walls. The break is tide-sensitive and comes alive at high tide, when the sand banks are filled and the short, steep wedges start to form. Low and mid tide sees the waves shut down or close out. Optimal swell window is south to southwest, in the 0.3-1.8m range, with anything beyond that tending to get messy on this exposed stretch. Northeast winds blow offshore, which is your best shot at clean conditions - westerlies are more common and make the surface choppy. Crowds are light to moderate. This is a regional town break rather than a destination, so you'll typically share the water with a small crew of locals and beginners. The vibe is relaxed and low-key. Access is straightforward from Longbeach Drive, with roadside parking close to the beach.

Steep A-frames filling at high tide, punchy and short over Whanganui's sand.