Harnessing the energy of the wind to skim across the water is a very satisfying way to get close to nature, and it’s also a huge amount of fun. New Zealand’s stunning coastal and lake side scenery makes this sport all the more enjoyable.
Whether your preference is to explore calm inland waterways, chop jump across a harbour or wave sail off the face of a roller, there’s a perfect location waiting here for you.
Board hire and instructors are available at most of the popular windsurfing areas, which include the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Taupo, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin.
A hot New Zealand summer drives outdoor enthusiast Nathan Fa’avae on an adventure holiday. His aim is to explore the ‘Heartland’, and to see why the ‘Bay of Plenty’ got its name.
If you’re fond of the water but also like to get air-borne, try kite surfing. This extreme water sport has a growing following in New Zealand. Harnessed to a paragliding-style kite with a small board attached their feet, kite surfers race across the face of wind - mainly on the water and at times in the air.