Cray Bay

Cray Bay is the quality reef of the remote southern Hawke's Bay coast, a rock-bottomed setup tucked behind a headland that rates among the best waves in the region. There are good left and right options, and they turn powerful and hollow on the right swell angle. The left is the standout, a punchy point that can barrel when an E swell meets a NW offshore, while the various reefs around the bay come to life on different angles. This is not a soft beach roll, it is a serious wave with critical takeoffs over shallow rock, strictly for experienced surfers who know the reef.

It stays uncrowded for a reason. The approach crosses private land and requires permission, so Cray Bay is a spot earned through local relationships and respect rather than a drive-up session. There are no facilities and no shop, and the approach is rough. For the surfer who has the connection and the skill, it is one of the real prizes of this coast, and for everyone else it is best left to those who have grown into it through the Hawke's Bay community.

• Work out which reef is firing before you commit, because the left is the pick when the swell and offshore line up but each reef around the bay favours a different angle, so watch a few sets and pick the one that is actually working that day.
• Bring a board with enough drive to make the critical drop and hold a fast line, since this is a wave that rewards surfers who can read rock and set a rail, not one to learn on.
• If Cray Bay is not yours today, the open beaches up the coast at Ocean Beach and Waimārama are the accessible fallback, and the southern coast around Kairakau and Pourerere has more to explore for those willing to drive.

• The takeoffs are critical over shallow rock and reef, and it is unforgiving when it is on, so come with genuine reef-surfing experience and people who know the layout, and do not push past your level here.
• When it barrels it does so with real consequence and there is no easy channel out the back, so know your exit and your limits before you commit to a set.
• Surfing it without permission is trespassing that burns the spot for everyone, so only paddle out once the access arrangement is genuinely yours and treat the locals accordingly.
• With no patrol and no facilities for miles, a hold-down or a ding leaves you on your own, so never surf it alone and carry what you need to self-rescue.

Getting there

A remote reef on the southern Hawke's Bay coast, south of Waimārama. The access crosses private land and requires permission, so there is no public drive-up; this is a spot reached through local relationships, not directions.

Parking

No public car park. Access and any parking are across private land by arrangement only. Do not block farm gates or tracks.

Toilets & showers

No facilities of any kind at Cray Bay. The nearest public toilets are at Waimārama up the coast. Come fully self-sufficient.

Shops, cafes & fuel

Nothing at Cray Bay. Stock up in Havelock North, Hastings, or the Central Hawke's Bay towns of Waipawa and Waipukurau before you head out.

Accommodation

No accommodation at the bay. Base in Waimārama, Havelock North or Hastings, or the Central Hawke's Bay towns, and treat Cray Bay as a day mission.

Camping

No camping at Cray Bay; the access and land are private. Use the Waimārama Beach Holiday Park or the Central Hawke's Bay campgrounds, and never camp on the private access land.