GREAT BARRIER ISLAND SURFARI
5-Day Wingfoil & Windsurf Trip to Great Barrier Island
Start / End
Auckland Airport
Duration
5 Days
Meals
Fully Catered
Transport
Island Shuttle
Group
6-8 maximum
Difficulty
Intermediate +
What is the Great Barrier Island Surfari?
The Great Barrier Island Surfari is a 5-day, fully catered wingfoil and windsurf holiday to Great Barrier Island, from $2,995 NZD. It departs from Auckland Airport with island shuttle transport included, for small groups of 6–8, and suits intermediate riders and above. Water Nomads handles the island’s logistics — travel, gear, accommodation, and meals — so the trip is fully guided and stress-free.
A world away, just 30 minutes from Auckland City. While most will only ever dream of getting their full quiver to the Barrier, you’re already on the water.
Water Nomads solved the logistics of the ‘unreachable’ island so you can focus on the epic conditions. This isn’t just a trip; it’s your golden ticket to New Zealand’s most rugged playground, fully loaded and stress-free.
Don’t watch this one from the shore – be the one in the lineup.
Highlights
Untouch Watersports Paradise
Find yourself in the prestine crystal clear waters of the Hauraki Gulf - Tikapa Moana.
Premium Home Accommodation
Nestled in Medlands Beach is a cosy family style house to unwind at the end of a fun day.
Fully Catered All Meals
Be pampered with wholesome meals every day from breakfast, lunch and dinner (dietary requirements included).
You and Your Gear Shuttled
Relax and be stress free as you are transported everyday to the right location for the best conditions.
Hassle Free From The Start
Your full return flexi-flight from Auckland is included, as well as all your gear transported via the island ferry.
Who Is This Trip For
- This trip is suitable for intermediate, advanced and expert wingfoil, windfoil and windsurfers.
- Due to the nature of the beaches and wind conditions, this trip may be most suitable for foiling.
- Options of surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking or hiking on calm days (gear not included unless arranged prior).
If you’re not sure if this trip suits you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
What is Included
- Return flexi-flights from Auckland Airport.
- Transport of your equipment from Auckland by Water Nomads Van via Island ferry.
- All shuttle transport provided for you and your equipment on Great Barrier Island.
- 4 nights quality home accommodation.
- 5 days in watersport paradise.
- Local knowledge and advice.
- Weather conditions knowledge and advice.
- Continental breakfast every morning with bottomless barista coffee.
- Individually packed picnic lunches every day to eat at your leasure.
- Dinner and desert with complimentary glass of wine, beer or a softdrink every evening.
- One evening soaking in natural hot springs under a starry sky – unforgettable!
What To Bring
- your own watersports equipment (unless prior arranged with us).
- sunblock
- sunhat
- water bottle
- insect repellent
- medications
Surfari Trip Date
13th - 17th November 2026
Available Now
Surfari Trip Price
5 Day Package
- $3995 NZD Single occupancy room.
- $2995 NZD Double room per person.
- $2995 NZD Twin share room per person.
Double room / Twin share room must be booked and paid together.
Secure payment with Stripe using credit card, digital wallet or bank transfer.
Equipment Rental Add-on
- $350 NZD for 1 windsurf or wingfoil board + 3 wings / sails for the whole duration of the trip (if required, by prior arrangement only).
- $100 NZD for 1 Surfboard
What Our Guests Say
The Water Nomads rock. Heidi and Bevan are super mellow cats but they really know their stuff. They are unassuming and authentic folk who will just quietly and confidently make sure you have a great time on and off the water. Both are incredibly well informed, low key operators whose life is based around prowling our amazing coast line and waterways and their combined local knowledge and nous will ensure you are on the right gear at the right spot on the right day. That sort of guidance is invaluable. Plus Bevan takes stunning photos. They aren't in this game to get rich, they are in it to enrich the lives of others. The Water Nomads will ease your path to transcendental times on the water.
What to Expect
Great Barrier Island, New Zealands 6th largest island, is a leap back in time. It’s only a 30 minutes flight from Auckland, yet you leave the hussle and buzzle of the city behind the moment you board the small plane. All the houses on Great Barrier Island are off-grid.
Getting watersports gear to the island is not easy as the planes haven’t got much freight capacity. This is where Water Nomads make it easy and affordable for you.
Enjoy an epic multi-watersport adventure in a pristine environment without the crowds!
After a long day on the beach, come home to your very comfortable accommodation close to Medlands Beach.
Water Nomads cater for small groups of up to 8 guests, thus you will enjoy the large living spaces and comfortable bedrooms.
Enjoy the cosy inside and outside fireplaces along with the all seasons covered rear deck. Beautiful timber floors, floor to ceiling windows front and back that drink in the view, a large kitchen and an expansive open plan living area make it the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate.
All your culinary needs will be looked after from the moment you arrive (including dietary requirements you may have).
- It starts with a continental breakfast, locally baked breads and fresh brewed of coffee (or tea!).
- A hearty lunch is individually packed by our local caterer to allow you freedom to roam if you wish to do so.
- The day finishes with a wholesome meal followed by desert and a lot of tall stories!
All snacks and fruit during the day are provided. A glass of wine (or juice) will be served with dinner.
Water Nomads work with the very best caterers on the island to provide you a unique and unforgettable experience.
We take professional action shots of you on the water which are available to purchase at discounted rates.
Your Surfari Trip starts at Auckland Airport with a flight to Great Barrier Island. You can chose to fly in the morning (10:00am) or afternoon (4:00pm), depending on your work commitments. Return flights will be leaving Great Barrier Island on Sunday at 6:00pm, so we have all day to enjoy on the island.
Your flight is a full flexi-ticket so you can opt to stay on the Island and continue your holiday! (Accommodation, food and transport not catered for extended stays)
You will be transported to a surf, wingfoil or windsurf spot every day, depending what the conditions offer. If there is no wind or wave, we might suggest to go for a hike or something similar. It is however ultimately up to you if you want to join into the days activities and your judgement on your ability to decide if you want to go on the water in the conditions presented.
We will meet you the day prior to the Surfari Trip in Auckland to load all your equipment in our vehicle and take it to Great Barrier Island via ferry. Your equipment will return the following day by ferry to Auckland.
Rental gear is available on request, please get in touch.
Watersports Conditions
Your Great Barrier Island holiday has a huge variety and choice of beaches and harbours. However, some of them are more suitable than others, depending what you want to do.
Wing Foiling, SUP’ing and Surfing and the main stays of this Water Nomads Surfari Trip, but the potential to Windsurf is also there. This is a water-persons paradise with almost a tropical island feel that will be remembered.
This Surfari Trip is of course watersport centered, however, if there is no wind, there is also a lot else to do and explore. So don’t forget the board shorts and snorkel!
The pristine sandy beaches of Medlands, Awana, Kaitoke and Okiwi are well known for surfing. However, in the right conditions, they are a fun playground for windsports too.
West facing bays, which do provide good winging conditions in a westerly / southwesterly.
Very sheltered harbour area with plenty of islands and headlands to be discovered by kayak or SUP.
- Hire a kayak or bring your SUP and explore sheltered inlets on the West Coast.
- Hike (45minutes flat) to natural Hot Pools in the middle of the bush and soak those tired muscles after a day in the water.
- Explore fantastic rock pools at low tide.
- Hike Windy Canyon and Palmer’s Track to Mount Hobson (Hirakimata) and be rewarded with fantastic views (3 hours return).
- Bring mask and snorkel and catch yourself some crayfish or just enjoy the rich marine fauna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Great Barrier Island Surfari Trip
Water Nomads Great Barrier Island Surfari Trip itinerary is pretty relaxed, and the flow is usually dictated by the forecast.
The day before departure your nominated equipment (boards, wings, foils, sails, masts, booms, wetsuits etc) will be picked up Water Nomads for ferry transport to Great Barrier Island.
The first day you will be picked up from Claris Airport on Great Barrier Island and settled into the accommodation. Your flight ticket is flexi, so you can choose a morning flight or afternoon flight. Early arrivers can opt to hit the water or go for an explore. Dinner will be around 7pm.
The following days breakfast is agreed upon, usually between 8-9am. The fresh coffee stops when you stop drinking it. Your lunch is provided individually packed to give you the freedom should you wish to spit up, or just enjoy at your leisure. The evening meal starts when everyone is refreshed and ready, this is usually agreed around 7pm. The last day finishes with pack-up and heading for the airport, again you have a flexi ticket, so you can choose a morning or afternoon flight.
Your nominated equipment will return the next day to Auckland with Water Nomads via the ferry…
Water Nomads group size is limited to 6 guests. All guests are expected to have an intermediate to expert proficiency, we do not cater for beginners or offer lessons.
Situated on the outer edge of the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand’s only National Marine Park, Great Barrier Island is a mere 90 kilometres from Auckland City. The sunniest days on Great Barrier Island are enjoyed during December which has an average of 6.4 hours of sunshine per day, and the windiest month is October when the average maximum windspeed is around 34kmh and the average wind speed is 19kmh. By planning our Trip in November, Water Nomads attempt to leverage the best of both conditions!
The average sea temperature of The Great Barrier Island in November is approximately 18 °C.
For comparison, it is much the same as Auckland spring sea temperatures.
In spring (September through November) the wind is reasonably reliable with Southeasterly through Southwesterly and Northwesterly. As a rule of thumb you will either be experiencing a Westerly frontal system or an Easterly frontal system.
If there is a day of light conditions, there is always a surf/SUP-surf/prone-foil possibility on any one of the famous surf breaks of the beautiful Great Barrier Beaches.
The journey from Auckland Airport to Great Barrier Island is 90km which is a 30 minute scenic flight.
As part of your Surfari package Water Nomads includes your return flight minimising your journey time. Your fight is a flexi ticket meaning you can choose when you wish to arrive and depart, thus enabling you to extend your stay at no extra travel cost.
The Ferry journey from Auckland Harbour to Great Barrier Island is 4 hours 30 minutes.
Thus Water Nomads manage all your gear transport via the ferry service making your journey hassle free. Your boards/sails/foils/wings are collected in Auckland the day before the trips and returned to Auckland the day after.
5 days from $2995 NZD
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5 days from
$2995 NZD