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Tolaga Bay

(Gisborne)

Tolaga Bay
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Events

Oct
24
Gisborne Canoe and Tramping Club, Otoko Walkway track work
A working bee on the western end of the Otoko Track – to clear grass away from the steps and walkway marker posts, and clear branches off the track. The Otoko Walkway is now designated as a “Track”, and is no ... More ►
Oct
23
We Can’t Stop Now – Gisborne Printmakers’ Group 1976-2021
Handmade prints by 31 past and present members of the Group celebrate 45 years of printmaking in the Lysnar House Studios, located behind Tairāwhiti Museum. The prints on display have been created by zinc etching, ... More ►
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Tolaga Bay

Tolaga Bay has a small permanent population. Numbers increase greatly over summer and there are two camping grounds at the beach, one which is free, located directly behind the Surf Life Saving Club and a commercial camping ground which is located at the southern end of the beach. This means swimmers will be scattered over the whole length of the beach. Tolaga Bay has a Surf Life Saving Club that patrols weekends and public holidays during summer. Swimmers need to be aware of the hazards around the wharf and also the large Uawa Rivermouth.

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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

Tolaga Bay is a popular swimming location. The bay is sheltered from swell and although it usually has some sort of a wave they are predominantly small and not very powerful. Tolaga Bay can get large dangerous swells but these are not common. Bathers do need to take care around the rivermouth which can have a strong rip and also around the wharf which can be dangerous. Tolaga Bay has two camping grounds, one is behind the Surf Life Saving Club and the other at the southern end of the beach near the wharf, so it is common for people to swim all along the beach.

Surfing

Tolaga Bay is not a popular surfing destination as it usually has small waves. Surfers do travel here when the swell is too big to surf in other areas around the coast.

Fishing

Fishing is popular at Tolaga Bay and the wharf at the southern end of the beach provides a very good location for line fishing as the wharf attracts fish and allows lines to reach reasonably deep water. Kingfish are also plentiful off the end of the wharf during their season.

Activities and facilities

Activities

  • Canoeing/kayaking
  • Dog walking
  • Horse riding
  • Shell fish gathering
  • Wind/kite surfing

Facilities

  • Car parking
  • Public toilets
  • Shower

Safety

The beach is our favourite playground, but it can also be a dangerous place. Learn about the hazards at Tolaga Bay and be prepared so you and your family can enjoy the sun, sea and sand safely this summer.

Hazards

Large breaking waves
Strong rips/currents
Sudden drop off

Patrols

Patrolled Beach
Tolaga Bay is a patrolled beach.
Stay safe - swim beween the flags.

Forecast provided by SwellMap.com

Cloudy
13°c
Max Temp.
15°c
Water Temp.

Wind

Still
14 kph
South East

Swell

Medium
1.2m
South

Water Conditions

For boating and surfing
Average. 4/10
4
Average. 4/10
4

Tides

2:00Am
Low
8:10Am
High
2:20Pm
Low
8:30Pm
High
7-day Forecast ► Forecast for Friday 22 Oct 2021, 1Pm
Swellmap.com

Safety at Tolaga Bay

We want you to have a great time whilst visiting Tolaga Bay. But take a moment to learn more about being safe on New Zealand Beaches. More ►

Patrolled Beach

Patrolling club: Tolaga Bay SLSC
Patrolled Beach
Tolaga Bay is a patrolled beach.
Stay safe - swim beween the flags.
 

Patrol Hours

Tolaga Bay is NOT CURRENTLY patrolled by Surf Lifeguards in Winter months. In an emergency call 111 and ask for Police assistance. Surf Lifeguard patrols will resume in December 2021.

Hazards

Large breaking waves
Large breaking waves
Strong rips/currents
Strong rips/currents
Sudden drop off
Sudden drop off

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 Tolaga Bay. 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

Tolaga Bay is on State Highway 35 and is situated 56 kilometres north east of Gisborne. The township is on the north bank of the Uawa River near the rivermouth. Tolaga Bay’s most unique feature is the concrete wharf which was completed in 1929 and is New Zealand’s longest. The wharf is located at the southern end of the beach. There is also a camping ground at the south end of the beach. Crossing the bridge going north, leads to the northern end of the beach where Tolaga Bay Surf Life Saving Club is located. Three quarters of the top floor of Tolaga Bay Surf Club was destroyed in a recent storm. Directly behind the Surf Club is the Tolaga Bay Golf course and just north of this is a free camping ground.

Public Transport

Train: Yes

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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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