Photo © JoMertens.com

Head to Raglan – New Zealand's surfing Mecca – for the ultimate surfing experience. This idyllic West Coast town is world famous as a surfing capital, with different beaches to choose from in the area with world-renowned left-hand breaks and long, smooth rides. The best thing is, Raglan is consistently pumping, with very rarely a dull day!

Photo © JoMertens.com

Just out from Raglan's township are many surf breaks to choose from, including Manu Bay - featured in the cult surfing movie The Endless Summer. There are different reefs and point breaks along the coastline, each offering amazing swells - absolute heaven for a surfer!

The surf at Raglan consistently hits five to eight feet, sometimes bigger. It's no wonder that it's one of New Zealand's most internationally recognised surfing spots, as its reputation for big waves and super-long left-handers precedes it.

Experienced surfers should try the awesome left-hand point breaks of Indicators, Whale Bay and Manu Bay. If some of the points link up between Indicators and Whale Bay, as they sometimes do, you're in for a wicked ride! What's more, there are enough different point breaks around to ensure that on any given day, at least one of them will be working.

To enjoy the surf, you don't even need to take your own gear. Surfboards, boogie boards, wetsuits and flippers can be rented year-round. For beginners, it's well recommended that you take lessons at the local surfing school on beautiful Ngarunui Beach. There's also a surfing and spa retreat at Whale Bay dedicated to women surfers.

With plenty of accommodation available in the area and a bucketful of other activities for your non-surfing mates, such as horse riding and fishing, Raglan is an ideal holiday destination. The small township gets really busy in the holiday season, so make sure you book early.

Visit http://www.surf.co.nz/ for up-to-date information on the surf at Raglan's beaches, or check out http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/MustDo_Raglan.html