To the west of Hamilton, Raglan is both a surfing mecca and an extremely scenic area of black sand coastline. Many people believe that Manu Bay on this coast has the longest, most accessible and consistent left-hand break in the world. If you have the required skill level, you can catch a wave and swim up to two kilometers. Manu Bay (also known as The Point) was featured in the cult surfing movie The Endless Summer in 1966.
If you’re not an avid surfer, Ocean Beach is a great place to go swimming, bodyboarding, or even take a surf lesson at Raglan Surf School (opens in new window). Lifeguards patrol the western part of the beach during the summer months – it’s safest to swim between the flags.
There are some great walks in the Raglan area. In just 10 minutes you can walk to the top of Bridal Veil Falls (55 meters). If you want a more challenging adventure, you can climb to the top of Mount Karioi – on a good day, you can see all the way to Taranaki Maunga, one of the highest mountains on the North Island. The Te Toto Gorge Trail is another option – it’s a route that was once widely used by the Maori, and in some places you can still see the remains of stone walls.
Cycle the Pipiwarauroa Trail, which takes you close to the 137-meter wind turbines at the Te Uku Wind Farm or Te Ara Kakariki, Raglan’s newest mountain bike trail. Other popular activities include kayaking, stand-up paddling, and harbor cruises, as well as rock climbing and canyoning.
Be sure to set aside a couple of hours for the town of Raglan. It’s an entertaining mix of cafes, bars, surf shops and galleries. This part of New Zealand has always attracted people who lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle, so the residents are full of character.