Waikuku Beach

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 at Waikuku is safest in surf conditions under 1 metre, and most popular in the summer. The area is quite a popular holiday spot for people in the wider Canterbury region, and the numbers in Waikuku swell at this time. The beach slopes gently into the ocean. In larger seas, dangerous holes and rips can develop. The beach is patrolled in the summer months during the weekends by volunteer guards, and during the school holiday week period by professional guards. In modest surf conditions there are rip currents to be aware of, so people should swim between the flags at all times. At low tide, a gutter forms between the sandbars, and the waves tend to dump onto the second bar. Swimmers should be wary of swimming too close to the river mouth north of Waikuku beach as rip currents can be associated with it. As this area of Canterbury coast line is quite exposed, the beach is very open to environmental conditions. There is rarely no waves.

Waikuku has a beach break which is offshore in northwest - west winds. The best tide to surf on varies but is generally better just before and just after high tide. At low tide the waves tend to dump a lot more.There are usually 2 bars, but more can develop in larger seas. Favourable conditions are not a consistent feature.

Surfcasting is possible off Waikuku beach but due to the shallow nature of the Canterbury coastline, offshore fishing is better. There are no rocky headlands to fish from. Fishing is popular at the mouth of the Ashley river about 1 km north of Waikuku beach.