Opunake Beach
Events
Opunake Beach
Opunake is a very popular beach with the local community. The beach can be dangerous in any size swell due to the southerly drift and the large rip at the southern end of the beach which pumps a lot of water out beyond the surf zone. There are some large holes always present at the beach. Opunake Beach has good facilities for beach goers and a motor camp situated only 50 metres from the beach. Opunake Surf Life Saving Club patrol weekends and public holidays during the summer months and there are also professional Lifeguards working during the school holidays.
Ratings
Activities and facilities
Activities
- Canoeing/kayaking
- Shell fish gathering
- Wind/kite surfing
- Wind-powered vehicles
Facilities
- Car parking
- Food and beverage kiosk
- Playground
- Public toilets
Safety
The beach is our favourite playground, but it can also be a dangerous place. Learn about the hazards at Opunake Beach and be prepared so you and your family can enjoy the sun, sea and sand safely this summer.
Hazards
Patrols

Stay safe - swim beween the flags.
Forecast provided by SwellMap.com
Tides
Safety at Opunake Beach
We want you to have a great time whilst visiting Opunake Beach. But take a moment to learn more about being safe on New Zealand Beaches. More ►
Patrolled Beach

Stay safe - swim beween the flags.
Patrol Hours
Opunake Beach is patrolled on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 11:30am to 4:30pm between 28 November 2020 and 8 March 2021. Weekday patrols are provided Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 6:00pm during 21 December 2020 to 29 January 2021.
Hazards
Click a safety symbol for more information on the risk
4 simple rules to keep you safe
We want you to have a great time whilst visiting Opunake Beach. But take a moment to learn more about being safe on New Zealand beaches and looking out for each other. More ►
The Water Safety Code:
- Be prepared
- Watch out for yourself and others
- Be aware of the dangers
- Know your limits
Location
Opunake Beach is located 500 metres west of Opunake township. Opunake Beach is a small bay and the beach is 500 metres long. There are long cliff headlands to each end of the bay. These cliffs extend around the back of the bay with a large reserve behind the beach before the cliffs. The beach is golden sand and has a very large low tide terrace. The Opunake Surf Life Saving Club is located centrally on top of the foredune.
Public Transport
Sorry, we have no public transport information available for this beach.
Beach Water Quality
Many councils provide the results of their weekly monitoring. This lets people know what the most recent bacteria levels were. Remember, even sites with low risk can be unsuitable to swim at from time to time and we recommend that you avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rainfall.
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