Hokitika Beach
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Hokitika Beach
Hokitika Beach is a becoming an increasingly popular spot for many recreational activities for locals and visitors to the region. Its close proximity to the Hokitika township means all facilities while not provided on the beach are not far away. There is a motor camp 2 km away at the west of the township. Swimming is safest in conditions under 1 metre, but the waves can be deceivingly powerful, and conditions can change rapidly with rips and holes developing within hours. The beach is not patrolled by a Surf Life Saving Club.
Ratings
Activities and facilities
Activities
- Canoeing/kayaking
- Dog walking
- Horse riding
- Motorbikes/4WD's
Facilities
- Car parking
- Public toilets
Forecast provided by SwellMap.com
Tides
Safety at Hokitika Beach
We want you to have a great time whilst visiting Hokitika Beach. But take a moment to learn more about being safe on New Zealand Beaches. More ►
Unpatrolled Beach

Never swim or surf alone.
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 Hokitika 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
Hokitika beach is located within 100 metres of the Hokitika township. It is a black sand beach which is initially quite level in slope but drops at quite an incline into the ocean at the high tide mark, and tends to flatten out again after that. There is usually a lot of driftwood on the shore. To the south the beach is bounded by the mouth and sand spit of the Hokitika river, and to the north a small rocky outcrop. The beach is 3000 metres in length. The beach is very exposed, having no protective natural features, so it is quite prone to any environmental conditions.The main access and car parking to the beach is directly west of the city centre, and the beach is backed by the township. There are no facilities on the beach, but these are available in the township 200 metres away.
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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