NORTHLAND SURFARI TRIP
Wingfoil & Windsurf in the Winterless Far North
Start / End
Doubtless Bay
Duration
4 or 6 Days
Meals
Fully Catered
Transport
Self-Drive
Group
5-7 max.
Difficulty
Advanced Beginner +
What is the Northland Surfari Trip?
The Northland Surfari Trip is a 4 or 6 day, fully catered wingfoil and windsurf holiday based in Doubtless Bay on the Karikari Peninsula, from $1045 NZD. It includes home-style accommodation, all meals, and local sailing and weather knowledge, with self-drive transport and small groups of 5-7 people. The trip suits advanced beginners through to expert riders – it isn’t recommended for complete beginners.
Stop gambling your leave on international flights and the “baggage-handler lottery.” Why cross an ocean for a tropical retreat when the Winterless North offers world-class, uncrowded conditions just a few hours’ drive from Auckland? The Water Nomads Northland Surfari is the premier, no-passport alternative to the tropics – delivering high-performance wing-foiling, surfing, and windsurfing across New Zealand’s most iconic coastlines.
While the crowds are stuck in resort terminals, you’ll be chasing the “all-time” sessions with a mobile base, a premium quiver, and the local session intel that only a Northland native can provide. Don’t just visit the North; unlock it.
Highlights
Winterless North, World-Class Water
Mild days, warm sea, and reliable 10-20 knot wind while the rest of NZ shivers.
Uncrowded, No-Passport Escape
Skip the flights and crowds - world-class conditions a few hours from Auckland.
Ridge-Top Home Over Doubtless Bay
Wake to 180° ocean views from a cosy house perched above the water.
Fed Properly, Every Day
Fresh coffee, packed lunch, and a 2-course dinner with wine - no cooking required.
Self-Drive, Your Own Call
Small groups of 5-7 and no fixed itinerary - chase the best spot, your way.
World Surf Break On Your Doorstep
Ahipara / Shipwreck Bay is just 50 minutes away for keen surfers.
Every Wind Direction Covered
Karikari's low-laying peninsula catches wind from nearly any direction.
Action Photos Included
Professional shots of you on the water, ready to relive or share.
Who Is This Trip For
- This trip is suitable for advanced beginners, intermediate, advanced and expert wingfoilers and windsurfers.
- Due to the nature of the sailing locations, we can usually find sheltered areas for less experienced people. At the same time, more experienced people can be out blasting and playing in the rolling swells and waves. We will point you to the best spot for your skill level.
- For keen surfers: The world famous break of Ahipara / Shipwreck Bay is only a 50 minutes drive from our accommodation! Taupo Bay is even closer, or get a quick dawn surf in Coopers Beach!
- This trip is not suitable for outright beginners. However if you have your first flights and can comfortably taxi back to your starting point this trip is perfect for rapid progression and building confidence, especially during the winter months.
If you’re not sure if this trip suits you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
What is Included
3 or 5 nights in a warm ridge-top home accommodation.
4 or 6 days wingfoiling and windsurfing Doubtless Bay.
Expert local spot knowledge and weather advice.
Chef catered 2 course meals and snacks every day.
Fresh coffee and artisan bread every morning.
Professional photographs avaliable to share on socials and purchase.
Surfari Trip Date
9th - 14th September 2026 | September Trip XL | 6 Days
Avaliable Now
3rd - 8th June 2027 | King's Birthday Trip XL | 6 Days
Avaliable Now
17th - 20th June 2027 | Midwinter Trip | 4 Days
Avaliable Now
24th - 29th June 2027 | Matariki Trip XL | 6 Days
Avaliable Now
8th - 13th July 2027 | School Holidays Trip XL | 6 Days
Avaliable Now
22nd - 27th July 2027 | Wahine Trip XL | 6 Days
Avaliable Now
Surfari Trip Price
6 Day XL Package
- $2045 NZD Single occupancy room.
- + $150 NZD Private ensuite addon.
- $1695 NZD Double room per person.
- + $75 NZD Private ensuite addon per person.
- $1695 NZD Twin Share room per person.
- $1695 NZD Small single room.
Double / Twin share rooms must be booked and paid together.
Secure payment via Stripe using a credit card or your favourite digital wallet.
4 Day Package
- $1195 NZD Single occupancy room.
- + $100 NZD Private ensuite addon.
- $1045 NZD Double room per person.
- + $50 NZD Private ensuite addon per person.
- $1045 NZD Twin share room per person.
- $1045 NZD Small single room.
Double / Twin share rooms must be booked and paid together.
Secure payment via Stripe using a credit card or your favourite digital wallet.
Equipment Rental Add-on
- $450 NZD for 1 windsurf or wingfoil board + 3 wings / sails for the whole duration of the trip (if required, by prior arrangement only).
What Our Guests Say
This was our 15th trip with Water Nomads! Imagine a holiday where all you have to do is show up and enjoy your sport whilst all the rest is taken care of. Now imagine that this all happens in a paradise of clear water and bush clad beaches. That's why we keep coming back for more.
Great trip with amazing food, stunning views across the whole peninsula, and lovely people! As a newer windsurfer, I loved having the TIME to just sit and chat about different equipment, techniques and skills. I learned a lot, and will definitely join another trip!
Big thanks to Water Nomads, great group of people, top accommodation and food. Fantastic spot knowledge and advise. Beautiful part of the country. Would book again and plan to in the future.
What to Expect
Water Nomads take you on a four or six day fully catered windsurfing / wing foiling adventure to the winterless Far North. The timing of our trips are tailored to the ideal weather conditions, maximising your water time.
In Coopers Beach and offers plenty of room for everyone to hang out. With stunning 180° views over Doubtless Bay you can relax and ponder the coming days. Water Nomads cater for small groups of up to 6 guests, thus you will enjoy the large living spaces and comfortable bedrooms.
It starts with a continental breakfast, Artisan bread and fresh brewed espresso coffee to your taste (or tea!).
A hearty lunch is individually packed to allow you freedom to eat when you please.
The day finishes with a wholesome 2 course meal provided by Water Nomads locally comissioned chief including a rich desert and a lot of tall stories around the table!
Water Nomads take professional action shots of you on the water which are available to purchase at discounted rates.
Water Nomads respect your independence throughout the sufari so you are provided with a hearty lunch individually packed each day.
We provide you with spot location, weather condition advice, and we maintain contact with you even if you choose an alternate location to explore. We do not treat you like a school group nor guide your every movement. Water Nomads ensure you are at the right place at the right time. It is however ultimately your judgement on your ability to sail in the presented conditions.
Watersports Conditions
The Karikari Pensinsula offers a variety of great spots for freeriding, foiling, speed runs, wingfoiling and windsurf wavesailing in many different conditions. No matter which direction the wind blows.
Well known for its beautiful foiling and freeride conditions with its unbelievable white sand and clear water. There is an awesome speed-run if the tide and wind direction are right and you want to test you and your gear!
A long, curved, sandy beach that can get nice waves in Easterlies. It’s very forgiving and perfect for your first steps wavesailing. The northern end is usually fairly sheltered from wind and waves, whereas the southern end can get pretty big and wild. You can choose!
Offers excellent foiling and freeride conditions, it can also produce beautiful rolling swells. Its also literally at the bottom of road from your accommodation!
Frequently Asked Questions
Northland Surfari Trip
On your Water Nomads Northland Surfari Trip the itinerary is pretty relaxed, and the flow is usually dictated by the wind forecast.
The first evening there is no fixed schedule, access to the accomodation will be from 4pm. Everyone is travelling, and arrive as their schedules (work) allow. Some take the day off with the plan on being up early for a Northland session, or looking to get a Wing Foil or Windsurf session in on the journey up. Others arrive late post work.
The following days breakfast is agreed upon, usually between 8-9am. Water Nomads 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. Your evening meal starts after dark when everyone is refreshed and ready, this is usually agreed around 7pm. The last day finishes when you are ready to leave, again you have your packed lunch. Play hard with us, or enjoy a sweet session on the way home…
The group size is limited to 7 guests. All guests are expected to be an advanced beginner, or have an intermediate to expert proficiency, Water Nomads do not cater for beginners or offer lessons, however skills coaching is available by prior arrangement.
Water Nomads picked this location due to its latitude and low elevation, Northland has the country’s highest average annual temperature. In winter (during our Northland Surfari Trips), the maximum day temperatures vary between 13 °C and 19 °C though it often feels warmer in the sun and shorts and t-shirts are not uncommon through June and July.
The average sea temperature of Doubtless Bay in June & July is approximately 16 °C.
For comparison, it is much the same as Christchurch summer sea temperatures.
Water Nomads Northland Surfari Trips are held in the winter months of May, June, July and August ensuring the wind is reasonably reliable with ~10-20 knots. 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 possibility on either the west coast, or east coast!
Due to the nature of the peninsula, you can find differing wind conditions and water states to suit everyones expectations. Tokerau Beach at one end can have good swell and strong wind, while the other end is flat water with lighter wind.
Water Nomads Northland Surfari Trip does not include sailing in Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands access can be difficult with long windy roads and travelling times; and due to the steep access to the Bays, often gusty wind conditions.
The Karikari Peninsula being low lying and open to near all wind directions offers the best opportunity to get wind, maximising your water time.
The journey from Auckland Airport to Coopers Beach is 330km which is 4 hours 15 minutes drive time. There are various sailing opportunities on the journey up if the wind is favourable, and you have the time. Water Nomads are happy to assist with weather and spots to check out on the journey.
In addition, there is a regional airport in Kerikeri which is only 65km to Coopers Beach (under 1 hour drive), rental cars are available, along with Watersports Gear Rental from Water Nomads.
The short answer is YES! The perfect tool to extend your stay in the region and enjoy what you have learnt from us, the spots, the weather etc.
There is NO reduction in cost bringing your camper so you will be best to enjoy the house you have booked in.
Water Nomads do not offer the option to stay in your campervan over the duration of the Northland Surfari Trip. A big part of joining a small group is the shared experience on the water, and then the community that is created in the home environment by sharing a hearty meal. The sharing of successes, progression, new techniques.
4 or 6 days from $1045 NZD
57 Reviews
4 or 6 days from
$1045 NZD
Deposit $400 NZD required on booking
