Surfers will have plenty of reasons to celebrate new long-term protections for Auckland's favourite surfing spots.

33 surf breaks across the region are set to be protected under Auckland's 30-year Unitary Plan, following a selection process which involved the local surfing community.

Dredging, dumping, digging, mining, building and mangrove removal are set to be restricted near the breaks.

Auckland Council environment committee chairman Wayne Walker, an environmentalist and the father of a keen surfer, is glad the protections have included in the plan.

"We know that if they're not protected they can be damaged from a number of developments, including sand-mining and developments in the immediate vicinity.

Mr Walker says the restrictions will also help protect Auckland's coastlines and coastal environment, particularly in areas where lots of developments are being planned.

"One area which is of real concern is a development up at Te Arai, which is a very important surfing area and also a very rich natural area."

Our picks for the best protected breaks

Te Arai Beach (including Pacific Road access point 'Black Swamp'):

The planners say: East Coast Beach break. Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good wave quality suitable to all skill levels. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Good access.

Our surf expert says: While it can look quite wild out this way for an East Coast beach, the a-frame peaks popping up for kilometres down the beach are gentle and fun. Located 90 kilometres north of Auckland, it's a bit of a drive but well worth it on a north-easterly swell coupled with a light south-west wind.

Tawharanui:

The planners say: East Coast Beach break. Sand/ patches of rocky reef Exposed beach break. Relatively consistent. Average to good wave quality suitable to all skill levels. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Good access.

Our surf expert says: also a Regional Park, this spot attracts everyone from sightseer, birdwatcher, beach-goer to surfer. It gets busy, but there's a few different spots to surf, so go for a wander. If it's bigger than a few foot it wheedles out the learners and can be a little less like playing dodge-ball. Doesn't get as much swell as those breaks to the north like Mangawhai or Te Arai, but works best on a southerly swell and wind.

Orewa Beach and Bar:

The planners say: East Coast Beach break, bar break. Sand Sheltered beach and bar breaks. Inconsistent. Wave quality highly suitable to and valued by learners and novices. High amenity values and good facilities. Good access.

Our surf expert says: Orewa can get some very good learner and log waves, and occasionally something nice for the average surfer if you can find a time to avoid the crowds... like the middle of the night.

Muriwai Beach South

The planners say: West Coast Beach break Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable to competent to experienced surfers. High amenity value and good facilities. Good access.

Our surf expert says: an Auckland West Coast staple. Muriwai works best on a clean swell and gets really good on an outgoing tide. Winds with some Easterly in them work best.

Maori Bay:

The planners say: West Coast Beach break, reef break Sand, rock Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Good facilities and access

Our surf experts says: one of the most stunning west coast spots, and can equally get some of the best waves. Less consistent than neighbouring Muriwai. Can work on winds with some northerly in if it's messing up other West Coast spots.

Te Henga Bethells Beach:

The planners say: West Coast Beach break Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Good facilities and access.

Our surf expert says: with Muriwai to the north and Piha to the south, Bethells can be overlooked as a surf destination for Aucklanders - which is great for locals as the spot can work well. Really nice on a clean, smaller swell on a mid tide; but aim to go out on a higher tide if the swell's running.

Piha:

The planners say: West Coast Beach break, bar break Sand Exposed beach break and bar break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suited for competent to experienced surfers. High amenity values and good facilities. Good access.

Our surf expert says: gets a lot of surf. Can be fun to surf even when it's big and messy as the waves reform well. Goes off on a south-easterly. Best at mid to high tide.

Karekare:

The planners say: West Coast Beach break Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Good access.

Our surf expert says: Piha's less-surfed less-well known neighbour. Best when it's a bit smaller than Piha as currents can be quite strong. Great on an easterly wind.

What our surf expert says about surfing in Auckland

West Coast is your best bet for waves if you're heading from the city. Unless there's a gigantic easterly swell, there's no point looking to any of Auckland's east coast city beaches for good wave. If you are trying to get good waves on this side of the coast, head north.

There is also Mangawhai Heads, just north of Auckland, If you get the Mangawhai bar pumping, you'll be frothing til your arms fall off. The paddle out can be hard, and staying on the spot can too because of the fast-moving harbour currents. Surfing on the high or on the low tide is best, with a west or south-west wind.

What the planners say about the other protected surf breaks

Pakiri Beach north: East Coast Beach break in forestry. Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good wave quality suitable to all skill levels. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Good access.

Pakiri Beach south: East Coast Beach break. Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good wave quality suitable to all skill levels. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Good access.

Goat Island: East Coast Reef break Rock/sand Semi exposed reef break. Relatively inconsistent. Good to high wave quality suitable to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with little development. Good access.

Daniels Reef Leigh: East Coast Reef break, and Rock Exposed Reef break. Relatively consistent. High wave quality suitable to experienced surfers. Good access. 6 Boulders Leigh, East Coast Reef breaks Rock/sand Exposed variable reef breaks. Frequently surfable. Good to high wave quality suitable to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with a lack of development. Difficult access.

Omaha Beach and Bar: East Coast Beach break, bar break, groyne breaks Sand Semi exposed beach, bar and groyne breaks. Provides wave quality suitable to learners relatively consistently. Occasionally provides good wave quality suitable to competent surfers. High amenity values and good facilities. Good access.

Red Beach: East Coast Beach break. Sand Sheltered beach break. Inconsistent. Wave quality highly suitable to and valued by learners and novices. Good facilities and access.

Long Bay Reef: East Coast Reef breaks. Rock Sheltered reef break. Inconsistent but good wave quality suitable for competent surfers. Difficult access 12 Milford Beach and Reef East Coast Reef and beach breaks Rock and sand Sheltered reef break. Inconsistent. Good wave quality suitable for novice to competent surfers. Highly valued and utilised urban surf break. Good access.

O'Neills Reef: Takapuna East Coast Reef and point break. and Rock Sheltered reef break. Inconsistent. Good wave quality suitable for novice to competent surfers. Highly valued and utilised urban surf break. Good access.

North Reef at Takapuna: Takapuna East Coast Reef break Volcanic reef Sheltered reef break. Inconsistent. Good wave quality suitable for novice to competent surfers. Highly valued and utilised urban surf break. Good facilities and access.

Takapuna Beach and South Reef: East Coast Beach and reef breaks Sand and rock Sheltered beach and reef breaks. Inconsistent, poor to average wave quality, however highly valued and utilised urban surf break. Suitable for learners to competent surfers. Good facilities and access.

Orere Point: East Coast Point break with boulders and cobbles. Sheltered point break. Inconsistent. Good wave quality suitable to novice to competent surfers. Good access.

Rimmers Road: West Coast Beach break and Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Adequate access.

O'Neill Bay: West Coast Beach break, rip reform break. Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Access requires 10-15 minute walk.

Anawhata West Coast: Beach break. Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Adequate access.

Whites Beach: West Coast Beach break. Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. 'Wilderness' experience with lack of development. Difficult access.

Whatipu: West Coast Inner harbour , beach break. Sand Sheltered inner harbour beach break. Infrequent. Average wave quality suitable to competent surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with lack of development. Adequate access.

Kariotahi Beach: West Coast Beach break. Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Good access.

Whangapoua at Okiwi: Great Barrier Island Bar break. Sand Exposed bar break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. High wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with low level of development. Access across estuary mouth.

Awana Bay: Great Barrier Island Beach break. Sand Exposed beach break that is frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable for competent to experienced surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with low level of development. Good access.

Palmers Beach and Kaitoke Beach: Great Barrier Island Beach break. Sand Exposed beach breaks that are frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high quality wave suitable to competent surfers. Offers a 'wilderness' experience with low level of development. Adequate access.

Medlands Beach and Shark Alley: Great Barrier Island Beach break, reef break. Sand/rock Exposed beach and reef breaks that are frequently suitable for wave riding. Good to high wave quality suitable to competent surfers. Good access.

Onetangi Beach: Waiheke Island Beach break. Sand Sheltered beach break. Low to average wave quality suitable for learners to competent surfers. Good access.

Palm Beach: Waiheke Island Beach break. Sand Sheltered beach break. Low to average wave quality suitable for learners to competent surfers. Good access.