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Surf, black sand and a colony of gannets are only a portion of what distinguishes Muriwai from the rest of Auckland, New Zealand. With about 37 miles (60 km) of beach and rolling black sand dunes, 1,200 pairs of gannets nesting on cliff tops, and a renowned surf school, the locale is a great place to visit during a locum tenens assignment. Whether you wish to take some surf lessons or simply stroll along the boardwalk that hugs the Muriwai coastline, you'll be sure to enjoy your discovery of this little sliver of Kiwi culture.
From August to March each year, you can view the gannet colony, one of only three in the entire country. Each nest of the 1,200 pairs of birds is a fractional measurement apart, but the birds are not phased by the tight space. With a large wingspan and a cluttered landing zone, this avian species is quite talented at arriving onshore and finding sufficient space to nest.
The Muriwai Surf School is a family-run business that provides individual or group lessons for surfers of any skill level. Explaining the "understood" rules of surf etiquette, the experienced guides prepare all of their students for a wild ride on the waves of the Pacific.
While the beach town is a small community, the region has critically acclaimed beachfront cafes and lounges such as Cafe Toi Toi. With cocktails, tapas and a full vegetarian menu, any diner can be satisfied with the delicious selection of fresh surf-inspired meals.