Back Beach is the black sand beach break on the west side of New Plymouth, tucked behind Paritutu Rock near the port. It picks up more swell than most of the peninsula, so when summer is tiny elsewhere this place often still has a peak. Banks shift. Expect lefts, rights, and A-frames that change week to week. Locals treat it as a swell check for the coast farther south. East winds clean it up; southwest wind chops it out. Works on most tides, usually better on the rising tide. Chest to head high is punchy and fun for intermediates. Bigger days get heavy fast. Watch the rips. Unlike Fitzroy in summer, do not assume it is always patrolled.

Fitzroy Beach is New Plymouth's city beach on the east side of town. Soft peaks for learners near the club, and a punchier bank when the swell is up. Patrolled in summer, with cafes and parking right behind the sand. Mid to high tide with a west or southwest swell and an east wind is the usual setup. When Back Beach is too big in winter, a lot of locals start here instead.

Graveyards is a shallow reef on Surf Highway 45 for experienced surfers only. Locals also talk about Indicators next door: longer hollow lefts at Graveyards, shorter intense rights at Indicators. Mid tide with a clean southwest swell and east to northeast wind is the classic call. Very shallow. If you are not comfortable on heavy reef, pick somewhere else. Ask someone who knows the ledge before you go.