Last updated October 2026
Aramoana Beach, on Shoal Beach Road in Central Hawke’s Bay, is the northern entrance to Te Angiangi Marine Reserve. Central Hawke’s Bay District Council lists diving, swimming, surfing and walking, and LAWA calls it one of Hawke’s Bay’s top five swimming spots for water quality. It holds a Good long-term grade on LAWA. There is no surf lifesaving patrol. The council puts it 40 minutes’ drive from Waipawa, the last part on gravel.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested every two weeks Nov–Mar by Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Aramoana Beach
Monday 19 OctoberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine enterococci results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (51 per 100 mL from 51 tests).
Surf Facts
Surf today at Aramoana Beach
Surf break at Aramoana Beach
Practical Information
- Location
- Shoal Beach Road, off Gibraltar Road, Central Hawke’s Bay
- Getting there
- About 40 minutes from Waipawa: towards Pourerere, then right into Gibraltar Road and about 15 minutes on gravel
- Water
- Open east coast beach with a mudstone rock platform at low tide (nearest tide station: Pourērere)
- Water quality
- Good (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Every two weeks from November to March by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
- Lifeguards
- None
- Facilities
- Public toilets, parking and picnic areas
- Camping
- Not allowed, apart from 3 marked spaces for self-contained motorhomes, 1 night
- Marine reserve
- No fishing or gathering of anything in Te Angiangi Marine Reserve
About Aramoana Beach
This is the Central Hawke’s Bay Aramoana, not the one near Dunedin. At low tide a broad mudstone rock platform is exposed, and the beach marks the northern edge of Te Angiangi Marine Reserve, which runs south to Blackhead. Ngāti Kere hold mana whenua here.
Hawke’s Bay Tourism notes the McHardy Homestead and the farm’s original 1906 woolshed on the beachfront, which is heritage-listed. Nearby on Gibraltar Road, Ouepoto Domain has paths through coastal wetlands.
Swimming and Water Quality at Aramoana
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council tests the water every two weeks from November to March and shares the results on LAWA. Aramoana has a Good LAWA long-term grade, based on 51 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Of 61 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 98% were suitable for swimming. A Good grade means the water is rarely unsuitable for swimming, but it is a long-term record, not a promise for any particular day.
Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. None of the Central Hawke’s Bay beaches has a surf lifesaving patrol, so swim with someone, stay within your depth and keep children within arm’s reach.
Diving, Surfing and Marine Reserve Rules
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve makes Aramoana a good place to look at marine life, but no fishing and no gathering of seaweed or shellfish is allowed, and nothing may be taken.
Vehicles and horses may use the sand at the top of the rock platform only, not the rocks below the high tide mark, and dogs must be on a leash.
For surf, Hawke’s Bay Tourism says that from Kairakau south through Pourērere and Aramoana you will find potential around each corner, with quiet line-ups. No official source describes the break in detail, so treat it as a remote, unpatrolled beach.
Getting There and Camping
From Waipawa, head east towards Pourerere and turn right into Gibraltar Road before the Pourerere settlement, then follow the gravel road for about 15 minutes to Shoal Beach Road. There are public toilets, parking and picnic areas at the beachfront reserves.
Camping is not allowed at Aramoana, except in three marked car parks at the southern end of the public car park for fully self-contained motorhomes, for one night.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and long-term grade for Aramoana Beach.
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council: Aramoana Beach: activities, facilities and directions.
Department of Conservation: Te Angiangi Marine Reserve: the reserve’s rules and marine life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Aramoana Beach?
Yes. The council lists swimming, and LAWA counts it among Hawke’s Bay’s best swimming spots for water quality. There is no patrol, so check LAWA first and stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like?
Aramoana has a Good LAWA long-term grade. Of 61 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 98% were suitable for swimming.
Is this the Aramoana near Dunedin?
No. This Aramoana is on Shoal Beach Road in Central Hawke’s Bay.
Can you fish at Aramoana?
Not inside Te Angiangi Marine Reserve, where fishing and gathering are banned.
Can you camp at Aramoana?
Only in three marked spaces for fully self-contained motorhomes, for one night.
How far is Aramoana from Waipawa?
About 40 minutes’ drive, including about 15 minutes of gravel road.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.