Paekakariki Beach

A good beach for families with some facilities and is patrolled by Surf Lifeguards over summer months. It does have the potential to be dangerous in poor conditions so ensure your family is well prepared.

Swimming is popular during the summer months. Swimmers tend to concentrate at the northern end where Paekakariki Surf Life Saving Club have weekend patrols. The beach does get swell and rips and holes form when waves are at the beach. Swimmers should stay in the Patrolled area provided by the Surf Club.

Paekakariki gets a good amount of swell and is frequently surfed by locals in the area. Paekakariki is a beach break and can be surfed at all tides. The water temperature is generally a few degrees warmer than the south coast of Wellington providing an added attraction. The surf at this beach is generally not that powerful and the waves here are good for learners.

It is difficult to launch boats although small dinghies can be launched over the beach face. Surfcasting is possible but the best fishing in the area can only be reached by boat. The southern end can be accessed by Fisherman’s Table Restaurant where there is good parking. Walking north from this point good fishing spots can be found in between the gaps in rocks and reefs.