This little slice of paradise is adept at sliding under the radar. Its location is that of a jewel in a gem-studded crown. The dazzling lights of the Bay of Islands to the north and the charismatic Poor Knights Islands to the east shield Sandy Bay. They draw so much attention that the Tutukaka Coast north of Tutukaka remains something of a secret. And that's exactly how the locals like it.
The waves are far from world-class, often nothing more than a gentle roll peeling along a handful of banks lining the main bay. Varying from knee to shoulder high during my visit, they are the perfect canvas for the many grommets in the 9-12 year range who rip down the walls, stealing waves from the older longboarders who sneak up to dangle five across the nose. Some even get the full set over the nose.
There is a great vibe in the water. Everyone knows each other. The groms are offered words of encouragement and the elderly are shown respect. Some of the older surfers rip harder than most. Pauline Pullman is just into her 60s, a former multi-time New Zealand champ and grew up right here at this beach. Her family were the first Europeans to settle here. And she still rips the waves with the smile, enthusiasm and energy of a grommet. Her brother, at 70, refuses to ride a longboard and I watch as he puts his shortboard on rail on a shapely peak in the south of the bay.
I hear stories about the big cyclone swells and how the calm inviting lineups turn into seething peaks, with even the odd slab wave. But it's hard to imagine as I watch the sun set again on a beauiful idyllic bay surrounded by pohutukawa trees, bordered by crumbly rock cliffs – a piece of New Zealand surf culture preserved by its seclusion.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS We've just upgraded one of our lenses and have our orginal Canon EF24-70mm f/2.8L listed for $950 ... you can check it out here. Or email us here at derek@boxoflight.com if you want a pro full-frame lens without the whopping big price tag.
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