Is New Zeland a good place to surf in February?

Question

Is New Zeland a good place to surf in February?

Answer 1

New Zealand’s February is generally regarded as the most stable month of the year with regards its weather.  However, due to NZ's physical location, its weather is possible one of the most changeable climates on this planet, with a very complicated weather systems.  This system is compounded with the type of year we are having, ie. El Nino or La Nino weather pattern. I’m not sure what we have this year.  You may like to research this if you are keen.

If you study SwellMap at http://www.swellmap.com/index.php “Free Charts”,  you will see where NZ gets its waves from.  It would be very brave of someone to say that NZ will have good swell or bad swell in February due to the changeable weather systems in this part of the world.  Because NZ is an island with huge swell catching capability, you would be very unlucky not to catch swell in some part of the two islands, as long as you have good transport.  However you could be totally unlucky and catch NZ having a no swell period.  This could last for a few days.  

February is a warm month with temperatures around 20 to 25 Deg C.  So it is quite pleasant in the water at this time of year.  I would recommend a summer weight wetsuit though for early morning and evening surfing.

Give it a go.  Take the risk.  I’m totally sure you will not be disappointed with your visits to NZ.

Answer 2

Never heard of New Zeland but if they have good waves then I'd say yes. The seasons there are opposite of North America's.

Answer 3

Yes    The best time on the west coast of the North Island is winter when you get the big southerly swells. The waters colder, but that keeps the numbers down