Coastal Beaches

Kairakau Beach: Swimming, Surfing and Waterfall Bay in Central Hawke’s Bay

Last updated October 2026

Kairakau Beach is a small Central Hawke’s Bay settlement tucked under big cliffs, with a river mouth and a lagoon you pass on the way in.

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council lists swimming, surfing, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing and walking, and Hawke’s Bay Tourism adds surfcasting and diving. The water holds a Good long-term grade on LAWA. There is no surf lifesaving patrol. The council puts it about 30 minutes’ drive from Waipawa.

Swimming Facts

1Water testing spot1Surf break

Testing spots: LAWA and Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Surf breaks: Hawke's Bay Tourism.

Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Mar by Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA

Today at Kairakau Beach

Monday 19 October

Tide falling

Sea

14.2°C

Cool, a wetsuit helps

8 very high

Cover up 9:40am to 4:20pm

Sunset

7:36pm

Light till about 8:05pm

Tides: LINZ, CC BY 4.0, times for Te Motu-o-Kura / Bare Island adjusted from Napier using LINZ offsets; the curve shows the shape of the tide, not local heights; predictions only. Sea temperature: NASA JPL MUR satellite data for 17 Oct, via Tideteller. UV: worked out for a clear day from the height of the sun and typical ozone; cloud lowers it, but you can still burn.

Water quality track record

1Kairakau BeachGood

96% of 118 tests suitable for swimming, 2019 to 2025

19/20

20/21

21/22

22/23

23/24

24/25

SuitableCautionUnsuitableEach bar is one summer of tests

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 (162 per 100 mL from 98 tests).

Water quality: © LAWA and partner organisations (Hawke's Bay Regional Council), licensed under CC BY 4.0, results to March 2025.

Surf Facts

Surf break at Kairakau Beach

The surf break at Kairakau Beach is shown in blue on the map above. The compass shows which way it faces, the swell that can reach it and the wind that blows offshore there, which is when the waves are cleanest.

1KairakauBeach break

FacesEast-northeastSwell reaches it fromThe north-northeast round to south-southwestOffshore windFrom the west-southwestBest tideNot recorded

Position approximate: not yet confirmed on aerial photos or by a local surfer

Swell can reach itFacesOffshore wind from

Before you paddle out

These facts say what suits each break, not whether it’s safe today. Surf breaks have rips, rocks and changing conditions. If you’re learning, surf where and when lifeguards patrol, and check the conditions yourself before going in.

Breaks: Hawke's Bay Tourism surfing guide (break names). The way each break faces, the swell that can reach it and its offshore wind are worked out from the LINZ coastline (CC BY 4.0); positions are checked on LINZ aerial photos unless marked approximate.

Practical Information

Location: Kairakau Beach Road, Central Hawke’s Bay
Getting there: About 30 minutes from Waipawa via Tamumu Road, Pourerere Road, River Road and Elsthorpe Road
Water: Open east coast beach with a river mouth (nearest tide station: Te Motu-o-Kura / Bare Island)
Water quality: Good (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
Testing: Weekly from November to March by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
Lifeguards: None
Facilities: Toilets, changing facilities, picnic area, playground, car parking
Camping: Kairakau Campground; freedom camping for self-contained vehicles at the end of Kairakau Beach Road
Cost: Free to visit

About Kairakau Beach

Hawke’s Bay Tourism describes Kairakau as tucked in under big looming cliffs, with great parking for day trippers and an annual fishing competition. The council suggests exploring the river mouth or kayaking up the river, walking up the hill behind the baches, or walking north at low tide to Waterfall Bay.

Check the tide before you head for Waterfall Bay, as the walk is along the shore and only works at low tide.

Swimming and Water Quality at Kairakau

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council tests the water every week from November to March and shares the results on LAWA. Kairakau has a Good LAWA long-term grade, based on 98 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.

Of 118 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 96% 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. The regional council advises waiting two to three days 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.

Surfing at Kairakau

Hawke’s Bay Tourism’s surfing guide says Central Hawke’s Bay line-ups are mostly empty and that, starting with Kairakau and heading south, you will find potential around each corner. No official source describes the break in detail, so treat it as an exposed beach for surfers who can judge the conditions.

Camping and Rules

Kairakau Campground, run by the Kairakau Development Society, has 26 powered sites, a communal kitchen and a hall. Certified self-contained vehicles can freedom camp at the end of Kairakau Beach Road, past the public toilets, for up to three nights; camping on other council land is not allowed.

From December to February, dogs must be on a leash between 8am and 6pm from 50 m north of the memorial seat to the southern end of the camp.

Where to Learn More

LAWA and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and long-term grade for Kairakau Beach.

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council: Kairakau Beach: activities, facilities, camping and directions.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism: surfing guide: the official guide to surfing around Hawke’s Bay, including Central Hawke’s Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim at Kairakau Beach?
Yes. The council lists swimming. 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?
Kairakau has a Good LAWA long-term grade. Of 118 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 96% were suitable for swimming.

Is Kairakau patrolled?
No. There is no surf lifesaving patrol here.

How do you get to Waterfall Bay?
Walk north along the shore at low tide.

How far is Kairakau from Waipawa?
About 30 minutes’ drive.

Can you camp at Kairakau?
Yes, at Kairakau Campground, or in a certified self-contained vehicle at the end of Kairakau Beach Road for up to three nights.

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