New Brighton

This beach is great for families large and small, with typically small waves and great facilities. It is patrolled by Surf Lifeguards during the summer months.

Swimming at New Brighton is generally safest under surf conditions of 1 metre and most popular in the summer months. The beach slopes gently into the ocean. In larger seas, dangerous holes and rips can develop. Swimmers should avoid swimming too close to the pier, as rip currents form in this area. The beach is patrolled during the summer months, in the weekends by volunteer guards, and during the school holiday week period by professional guards. In modest surf conditions there are rip currents to be aware of, so people should swim between the flags at all times. At low tide, a gutter forms between the sand bars, and the waves tend to dump onto the second bar. As this area of Canterbury coast line is quite exposed, the beach is very open to environmental conditions and rarely has no waves.

New Brighton has a beach break which is offshore in west to southwest winds. There are usually 2 bars, but more can develop in larger seas. The best conditions vary due to the bars, however it is generally best just before and just after high tide. At lower tides the wave tends to dump onto the bars. Favourable conditions are not consistent. Surfers should be aware of the Pier towards the southern end of the beach and the dangers associated with surfing to close to it.

Surfcasting is possible of New Brighton beach, however as the sea floor is quite shallow, offshore fishing is much better. There are no rocky headlands to fish from. The pier at the beach is the best fishing spot as this allows anglers to get some distance out into the water to cast their rods.