Surfing in Raglan & Things To Do

Raglan, New Zealand’s perfect surfing town, located on the West Coast of the North Island, just a short drive west of Hamilton or a two-hour drive south of Auckland. Raglan is the region’s great chill out spot. Drawn by its relaxed vibe, superb waves and rugged landscape Raglan is a popular destination for artists, surfers and local weekend holiday makers alike. Whether you’re looking for world-class surf, stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, inspiring arts or simply a good old cup of coffee, Raglan offers the perfect laid-back escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With all this natural beauty, it’s no wonder that artisans and creative people flock to the area. This creativity is on show in the town’s galleries, studios and markets, and buying a souvenir usually also means buying something distinctively local and all the more memorable.

Raglan’s bohemian atmosphere and idyllic coastal setting makes it the perfect spot to while away an afternoon browsing amongst the boutique cafes and shops, lazing on the beach or kayaking, paddle boarding or cruising on the harbour. While those with more adventurous activities in mind can take a short drive from the town to the beaches that make the area a surfing mecca, including Manu Bay which has one of the longest left-hand breaks in the world. While land based Raglan activities are also in abundance with top walking trails including Bridal Veil Falls, which plunges 55m, Mt Karioi, a challenging full day hike, canyoning trips, rock climbing and much more.