Wainui Beach is the most popular surf break in the Gisborne area, about six kilometres north of the city centre along State Highway 35. The waves here are consistent and varied, suiting everyone from beginners to experienced surfers, and the beach is far less crowded than anything you will find near Auckland or Wellington.
The beach stretches for several kilometres, with clean sand and a backdrop of pohutukawa trees. Surf schools operate out of Gisborne for beginners who want to learn in forgiving conditions. Early mornings here — watching the light come over the water — are genuinely special.