Wingfoiler riding ocean swells New Zealand

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TRIP

The Ultimate Surfari Escape

Wingsurf New Zealand

The Best Auckland Water-sports Camp

Great Barrier Island – only a 30 minutes flight from Auckland, and still so hard to reach if you want to take all your toys. Unless of course you take the ferry, which will cost you an arm and a leg to take your car over….. Water Nomads will take the pain out of the plane and get you and your toys safely to the Barrier.

Play all day in the water – be it wingfoiling, windsurfing or surfing, then come home to a warm fire place and enjoy a delicious dinner with good company. Or soak those tired muscles in natural hot pools under the stars – an unforgettable experience!

Our Surfari trips are all inclusive, meaning you don’t need to do a thing except book the trip and turn up! We show you the best Great Barrier Island has to offer and will make your holiday one to treasure for the rest of your life.

from

* USD & EUR are approximate and displayed for your convenience.

4 nights quality accommodation

Single/double/twin share available.

Meals

Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - fully catered throughout your stay.

Free shuttle

All transport for you and your gear included during your stay.

Flying in

Return flights from Auckland included.

Local knowledge

We ensure you will be at the right spot at the right time.

Photos

Professional photos taken of you on the water available.

What you want to know

Discover the Surfari Trip Dates currently available, your package pricing options, and if you’re looking to travel light, the rental options.

2023 Season:

27 September – 1 October 2023 –  Bookings Closed

2024 Season:

To be confirmed – Enquire Now

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Alternatively you can request a date that suits you! Get a crew of four (minimum) and contact us for a Custom Surfari.

  • $2950 NZD Single occupancy room
  • $1950 NZD Double room / Twin share room per person (must be booked and paid together).
  • $350 NZD  for all gear for the whole duration of the trip (if required, by prior arrangement only).

What you need to know

Explore everything that is included in the Surfari Trip package, what you need to bring with you, and what skill level you need to be at.

  • Return flights from Auckland (morning and afternoon flights available).
  • Transport of your equipment from Auckland by sea
  • All transport for you and your equipment on Great Barrier Island
  • 4 nights quality accommodation.
  • 5 days in watersport paradise.
  • Local knowledge and advice.
  • Weather conditions knowledge and advice.
  • Continental breakfast every morning.
  • Individually packed picnic lunches every day.
  • Dinner and desert with complimentary glass of wine every evening.
  • One evening soaking in natural hot springs under a starry sky – unforgettable!
  • your own equipment (unless prior arranged with us).
  • sunblock
  • sunhat
  • water bottle
  • insect repellent
  • medications

If you are unsure what equipment you should bring, please contact us. 

  • This trip is suitable for intermediate to expert wingfoil, windfoil and windsurfers (please note, we currently do not offer lessons or tuition). 
  • Due to the nature of the beaches and wind conditions, this trip may be more suitable for wingfoiling than for windsurfing. 
  • There will be the option of going surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking or hiking on calm days.

If you’re not sure if this trip suits you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

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-grit, electricity comes mainly from solar power.

Getting watersports gear to the island is not easy as the planes haven’t got much freight capacity. This is where we make it easy 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. 

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.

  • It starts with a continental breakfast, locally baked breads and freshly brewed 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.

We 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.

See our recent photo albums!

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. 

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 else. 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. 

Rental gear is available on request, please get in touch. 

Watersport conditions

Great Barrier Island 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.

This Surfari is of course watersport centered, however, if there is no wind, there is also a lot else to do and explore. 

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.
A foiling adventure was what we had in the past week, expertly lead by Heidi and Bevan, who are great hosts and had organised a well oiled few days of watersports. The food was outstanding and it was a great experience to catch up with other like-minded people to enjoy some fun times foiling on a variety of craft. Always pleasant and hospitable, i recommend Water Nomads for a great adventure, wherever in NZ they are going.
5/5