Henderson Bay.

Henderson Bay is a dependable mixed sand-and-reef beachbreak tucked into the upper Northland coast, south of the Houhora Heads rivermouth sandbar and north of the Karikari Peninsula. Scattered reef beneath the sand creates two distinct bar systems - an inside and an outside - both capable of producing hollow, fast-breaking A-frames that push into legitimate barrel sections when conditions align. The reef influence steepens the takeoff zone significantly, rewarding surfers who can commit to a vertical entry and hold a fast, driving line through the tube. NE swells are the sweet spot, funnelling into the bay with more power than the open white-sand beaches at Rarawa to the north. The spot works across all tides, though lower water exposes more of the reef influence and sharpens the shape considerably. South-westerly winds groom the faces cleanly and are the dominant offshore direction. Crowd levels are moderate by Northland standards - locals know what they have - but the bay rarely reaches the density of better-known breaks further south. Strong rip currents run along the reef sections and shift after significant swell events, making a thorough read of the water essential before paddling out. Submerged reef and confirmed shark activity in the wider region are the primary hazards. The spot can hold surf from 0.6m beach-break fun up to a solid 2.4m when a proper north or northeast groundswell arrives.

Hollow A-frames off the reef bars, sharpened by lower tide and NE swell funnel.