Overview
Stent Road is a right-hand point break that reels along a boulder-strewn point, and it ranks as the finest right point in the country. It holds its shape from tiny days all the way up to big, thumping swells, serving up everything from open green faces to fast, tucked-in sections. That extra quality is what gives it genuine international pull.
When It Works
The point pulls in swell from southwest through to the north, with southwest (SW) the best match. It's usable from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, so there's a wide window of sizes to play with. It breaks consistently, and the wave quality is excellent.
Wind and Tide
Stent Road stays offshore in an east (E) wind. It works across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an intermediate wave, and it's very busy whenever it's on, so expect a crowded lineup. There's a big local crew here who demand respect. When the point gets packed, the lefts on either side come into play.
Access
To reach it from New Plymouth, head southwest on Devon Street West and continue out of town on South Road (State Highway 45). Carry on through Warea, turn right onto Stent Road, then turn right onto the gravel road out to the point once you hit the coast. There's camping nearby, along with free roadside parking.
