Solscape Raglan

Located in the famed bohemian beach town of Raglan in western New Zealand, Solscape combines a unique blend of surf tourism, eco-tourism, and agritourism with a touch of yoga. While the main attractions at Solscape are the waves spotlighted by the 1966 classic Endless Summer, Solcape complements the world-class breaks with accommodations and experiences not commonly found at surf resorts throughout the world.

Solscape has a unique variety of accommodation offerings which allows it to cater to various types of surf travelers and their budgets. Each is constructed with earth-friendly, recycled, or upcycled materials and is built to be energy efficient. They also feature furnishings and art by local craftsmen and artists. The Eco Bach are studios built with recycled wood that can sleep 2-3 people. The Ivy Cottage is a 1960’s Kiwi Cottage covered in vines that sleeps up to five people and has a full ocean view. Perhaps the most unique of all is the Solscape Classic, which is an upcycled 55 ft train car with its original wooden floor. It can hold a small family or group and is sure to be a memorable experience. Each of the self-contained units offers fully equipped kitchens, space heaters, and high-quality linens and towels.

Shared accommodation options include the earth domes, which are constructed using materials from the surrounding earth and built by many hands throughout the years. 12 authentic New Zealand Railway cabooses provide another unique option. The other option is the Garen Belles, which is similar to a yurt. All shared accommodations include communal bathrooms, kitchens, fire pits, and plenty of shared common ground as Solscape occupies 10 acres in all.

Solscape has its own in-house surf school called “Soulsurfer”. Lessons and coaching are available for all levels of surfers, including first-timers. They have a full offering of surfboards, wetsuits, and other surf gear available to rent. The nearby Ngarunui Beach and Manu Bay are within a short walking distance offer a great canvas for one to learn or improve on their skills. Surf school packages can be customized to your ability and length of stay.

For advanced surfers looking to follow in the footsteps of Robert August and Mike Hynson in surfing Raglan, Manu Bay is the classic left point break that runs for hundreds of yards. This is a wave commonly found on the bucket list of most avid surfers. All of the surf spots in this region hold a strong population of local surfers, so while you’re welcome to paddle out, be sure to brush up on your surfing etiquette and surf respectfully. Indicators, Whale Bay. and Ruapuke are other surf spots in the area more suitable for intermediate surfers and up.

This part of New Zealand picks up waves year-round, so there is always something to surf. Being in the southern hemisphere January through March are the warmer summer months. Winter is June through August and typically when you’ll encounter the biggest waves of the year, although be ready for colder water and weather.

Meals at Solscape are served through the onsite Conscious Kitchen, with a menu of plant-based eco-cuisine prepared by a team of in-house chefs. Everything is vegan with much of the food coming from their very own gardens. The menu is said to offer a delicious taste of the area while allowing you to think about where food comes from and how it’s produced. Guests are even encouraged to visit and learn about the gardens to help develop a strong connection with their food.

Workshops about gardening and permaculture are some of the non-surfing activities available. Yoga is also a big part of the experience at Soslcape, with a consistent schedule of classes available from highly trained instructors. Massages and holistic bodywork are available through the surf resort, which can be helpful after a steady diet of surfing Raglan’s long waves.

The diverse accommodations and vast resort grounds make Solscape a great place to hold group retreats. Yoga retreats are quite common there, as are surf retreats, business retreats, and family reunions. Holding a retreat at Solscape in Raglan will undoubtedly be a memorable experience.

Flights should be made into either Auckland or Hamilton International Airports. Solcape can help arrange travel to and from the airports.