Overview

Ohau Channel is a unique spot located between Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua, in the Bay of Plenty. This channel connects the two lakes and offers a freshwater lake body of water at 281 metres altitude. Conditions are very different from coastal spots. Thermal winds work at this inland spot. The spot is suitable for intermediates. The water is fresh and warm in summer thanks to the geothermal activity of the region. No tides at this lake spot. The Rotorua region is famous for its hot springs and Maori culture.

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Spot forecast for Ohau Channel

Sunrise 06:22 · Sunset 19:36

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Ohau Channel: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

347h

in December · 30 rideable days

The season runs from August to January, peaking in December: 28 rideable days a month and 347 hours of usable wind, at 17 °C. The low point is July, at 19 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 84%13-20 knots · 16%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 84% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is July, at 11 °C. The wettest month is July, with 214 mm.

Monthly averages: Ohau Channel

Monthly averages — Ohau Channel — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	28.0	271 h	21 °C	93 mm
February	23.5	177 h	22 °C	62 mm
March	23.5	238 h	19 °C	46 mm
April	22.0	215 h	17 °C	196 mm
May	21.0	186 h	14 °C	121 mm
June	21.5	194 h	12 °C	191 mm
July	19.0	167 h	11 °C	214 mm
August	25.0	225 h	12 °C	83 mm
September	28.0	295 h	14 °C	87 mm
October	27.5	308 h	16 °C	164 mm
November	27.0	277 h	19 °C	173 mm
December	30.0	347 h	21 °C	136 mm

Photo gallery of Ohau Channel

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Technical details of Ohau Channel spot

Depending on conditions: N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

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Live

Rotorua AWS7.1 kmsource MetService New Zealand

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Nearby spots

All spots: Bay of Plenty

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Ohau Channel kitesurf, wingfoil and paddle spot