Raglan Bar.

Raglan Bar sits at the southern flank of Raglan Harbour where shifting sandbanks produce an unpredictable but rewarding selection of fast, hollow peaks. The break works best on SW to NW swells in the 0.6-2.4m range, with conditions peaking around low to mid tide on a rising push. Easterly winds groom the faces cleanly and are the prevailing offshore. Because the banks are moveable, the wave changes character season to season - some days it serves up punchy barrel sections, other days it runs as a long performance wall. Quality is rated good when the banks align. On windier days the lineup fills with kiteboarders rather than surfers, which can thin out the surf crowd considerably. Strong rip currents are ever-present given the harbour mouth setting, and sharks are an acknowledged hazard in this part of New Zealand's west coast. Intermediate surfers who can read sandbar setups and handle variable currents will get the most from Raglan Bar. Beginners should avoid the spot due to the unpredictable rips and shallow takeoff zones.

Sandbanks that shift the shape of every swell through Raglan Harbour's mouth.