The mapped surf breaks are the areas within which the activity of surfing occurs. Surf breaks are the result of exposure to swell, currents, water levels, and seabed morphology. Bathymetry, headland and bar features, aerial photography, and knowledge of council officers was used to determine the extent of the mapped areas. The mapped surf breaks do not include the associated offshore swell corridors. Surf breaks have been mapped for the purpose of the Unitary Plan, a number of these are likely to be identified as ‘Regionally Significant Surf breaks’.