5 Flawless, Empty Lineups from New Zealand’s Stunning Coast

Raglan isn’t the only left point in New Zealand. Believe it or not, it’s not even the longest. This left point here doesn’t break very often, but when it does there’s seven different sections, and the waves peel longer than your legs can handle. Photo: Rambo Estrada

Growing up on the East Coast on a diet of closeouts, it was like a dream come true the first time I surfed Raglan. The waves peel forever. I've shot literally thousands of Raglan lineups, but this is definitely my favorite, as it really shows the mechanical uniformity of the place. Photo: Rambo Estrada

This was one of the best swells I’ve ever seen on the East Coast of New Zealand. I swam out in the dark at dawn unsure if I’d actually be able to make it out the back. I shot for an hour or so until I took the beating of my life, busted my chin open on my housing, which took on some water. Still stoked I gave it a shot though. I mean, I didn’t buy a water housing to stand on the beach. Photo: Rambo Estrada

The area around Dunedin in the bottom of the South Island has ridiculously good waves. And it’s super consistent, there’s always swell on tap. If it wasn’t so stupidly cold I’d move there tomorrow. Photo: Rambo Estrada

This photo is from Cyclone Pam last summer. This Coromandel beachie only breaks once or twice a year and this day it was firing from dawn till dusk. Chances are I’ll never see it this good again in my life. Photo: Rambo Estrada