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.

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Ratings

Family friendly

This beach is well suited for families, make sure your family is prepared for the beach conditions, the beach is patrolled by Surf Lifeguards during the summer months.

Swimming

Bathing at Opunake beach is very popular during the summer months. The beach has a very low swash gradient of less than one degree, meaning the beach has one of the largest, low tide terraces in the country. Bathers at this beach can walk out a great distance before the water will be over head height. The beach has a couple of large holes, a longshore southerly drift, and a large rip at the southern end.

Surfing

Surfing can be quite good at Opunake beach. The main bar at the northern end of the beach often provides good surfing waves (generally right handers). There are also many good point breaks in the nearby area. Opunake beach can be surfed on any tide and is offshore in a northeast wind.

Fishing

Fishing is very popular in the Opunake area. There are many good spots to rock fish from. The territory is tough but productive. The area has big snapper and fishermen need to use squid or octopus as bait, as other types do not last long.

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

Opunake Beach is a patrolled beach.
Stay safe - swim beween the flags.

Forecast provided by SwellMap.com

21°c

Max Temp.

19°c

Water Temp.

Wind

Still

14 kph

West

Swell

Large

1.3m

South West

Water Conditions

For boating and surfing

Tides

Webcam

Sorry, the webcam is currently unavailable.

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

Patrolling club: Opunake SLSC

Opunake Beach is a patrolled beach.
Stay safe - swim beween the flags.

Patrol Hours

2012 - 2013

24 November to 11 March

- Saturdays: 11am-4pm

- Sundays: 11am-4pm

- Weekdays (17 December - 30 January): 11am-7pm

2011 - 2012

26 November to 8 March

- Saturdays: 11am-4pm

- Sundays: 11am-4pm

- Weekdays (19 December - 31 January): 11am-7pm

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

DIAL 111 in the event of an emergency

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.