Good to know
Good to Know
- Wellington's famous wind can make beaches choppy; Scorching Bay and Princess Bay offer more sheltered conditions
- Water quality is monitored by Greater Wellington Regional Council and published on LAWA website; check before visiting
- Most central beaches (Oriental Bay, Lyall Bay, Scorching Bay) are free entry but parking may be paid
- Many beaches have cold water even in summer; wetsuits are standard for swimming and especially for surfing
- Scorching Bay and Oriental Bay are most suitable for families with young children; both have calm sheltered waters, playgrounds, and facilities
- Lyall Bay offers the most amenities and atmosphere for water sports with cafes, lifeguards, and equipment rental shops nearby
- Summer can get very crowded at popular beaches like Scorching Bay and Oriental Bay; consider visiting early morning or shoulder season (March-April)
Beaches
Oriental Bay
- Lifeguards
- Yes
- Water Type
- sheltered harbour
- Accessibility
- wheelchair accessible to Freyberg Beach
- Lifeguard Season
- patrolled year-round
- Water Conditions
- Generally calm and sheltered, ideal for swimming
- Distance From City Center
- 1.5 km
- Description
- Wellington's most popular inner-city beach with sheltered harbour waters and man-made golden sand. Very calm and suitable for swimming.
- Seasonal Notes
- Free entry. Dogs allowed off-leash May-October only.
Best For
- swimming
- sunbathing
- picnicking
- families
Facilities
- Parking
- Yes, angle parking on Oriental Parade and dedicated car park near Freyberg Pool
- Showers
- No
- Toilets
- Yes
- Playground
- Yes
- Cafes Nearby
- Yes
- Picnic Areas
- Yes
- Changing Facilities
- Yes
Designations
- family
- quiet
- full-service
Lyall Bay
- Lifeguards
- Yes
- Water Type
- open coast
- Accessibility
- Accessible
- Lifeguard Season
- Summer weekends November-March, daily in January
- Water Conditions
- Gentle slope allows safe wading; southerly swells can create dangerous waves
- Distance From City Center
- ~5 km south
- Description
- Wellington's most popular surf beach on the south coast with consistent waves suitable for all skill levels. Large sandy beach with vibrant atmosphere.
- Seasonal Notes
- Water is cold year-round; wetsuits recommended. Paid parking at entrance. Two surf lifesaving clubs operate here.
- Historical Note
- Site where surfing was introduced to New Zealand in 1915
Best For
- surfing
- kitesurfing
- windsurfing
- kayaking
- swimming
- beginner surfers
Facilities
- Parking
- Available along waterfront
- Showers
- Yes
- Toilets
- Yes
- Playground
- Yes
- Cafes Nearby
- Yes
- Picnic Areas
- Yes
- Changing Facilities
- Yes
Designations
- full-service
- party
Scorching Bay
- Lifeguards
- Yes
- Water Type
- enclosed harbour cove
- Accessibility
- Family-friendly with accessible restrooms
- Nearby Features
- Scorch-O-Rama Café (popular brunch spot), rock pools at bay edges, views of Pencarrow Lighthouse, pohutukawa trees for shade
- Lifeguard Season
- November-March (summer)
- Water Conditions
- Very calm and sheltered, shallow waters safe for children
- Distance From City Center
- ~10 km east (Miramar Peninsula)
- Description
- Small crescent-shaped sandy beach on Miramar Peninsula, sheltered from Wellington's notorious winds. Particularly well-suited for families with young children.
- Seasonal Notes
- Dogs not allowed on beach. Can get very busy on warm summer days; recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon.
Best For
- swimming
- families with young children
- rock pool exploration
- picnicking
Facilities
- Parking
- Available; can fill quickly on warm days
- Showers
- Yes
- Toilets
- Yes
- Playground
- Yes
- Cafes Nearby
- Yes
- Picnic Areas
- Yes
- Changing Facilities
- Yes
Designations
- family
- quiet
Breaker Bay
- Lifeguards
- No
- Water Type
- harbour entrance
- Water Conditions
- Not specified for swimming safety
- Distance From City Center
- ~8 km east
- Description
- Beach at western entrance of Wellington Harbour with beautiful scenic views and excellent coastal and headland walking opportunities.
Best For
- coastal walks
- headland walks
- picnicking
- scenic views
Designations
- quiet
Princess Bay
- Lifeguards
- No
- Water Type
- open coast
- Water Conditions
- Sheltered from wind
- Distance From City Center
- ~6 km south
- Description
- Small stretch of sand near Houghton Bay, sheltered from prevailing north-westerly winds. Much smaller and usually less crowded than nearby Lyall Bay.
- Seasonal Notes
- No local amenities; self-catering recommended
Best For
- swimming
- sunsets
- quiet beach time
Facilities
- Toilets
- No
- Cafes Nearby
- No
- Changing Facilities
- No
Designations
- quiet
Houghton Bay
- Lifeguards
- No
- Water Type
- open coast
- Water Conditions
- Massive waves; hazardous for swimming
- Distance From City Center
- ~6 km south
- Description
- Tiny sandy beach popular with experienced surfers. Known for massive waves and wild surf conditions.
- Seasonal Notes
- Not suitable for swimming. Accessible by bus route 23 (half-hourly from city centre)
Best For
- experienced surfers
- watching surfers
- bodyboarding on calm days
Days Bay
- Lifeguards
- No
- Water Type
- harbour
- Water Conditions
- Safe for swimming
- Distance From City Center
- across the harbour
- Description
- Popular beach across Wellington Harbour, accessible by road or scenic ferry ride from Queens Wharf.
- Seasonal Notes
- Ferry access is 20-minute scenic ride from Queens Wharf
Best For
- swimming
- families
- kayaking
- fishing
Facilities
- Boatshed
- Days Bay Boatshed near pier rents kayaks, mountain bikes, fishing gear, cricket sets
Designations
- family
Petone Beach
- Events
- High Tide music festival in November
- Lifeguards
- No
- Water Type
- harbour
- Water Conditions
- Not specified
- Distance From City Center
- ~7 km north
- Description
- Wellington's first European settlement site. Beach hosts annual High Tide music festival (November). Long sandy beach with historic heritage.
- Seasonal Notes
- Historic Petone Wharf remains closed due to earthquake risks. Settlers Museum nearby.
Best For
- walking
- festivals
- picnicking
Facilities
- Parking
- Yes
- Toilets
- Yes
- Nearby Park
- Yes
- Changing Rooms
- Yes
Designations
- full-service
Mākara Beach
- Lifeguards
- No
- Water Type
- open coast
- Water Conditions
- Sheltered waters, safe for families
- Distance From City Center
- ~30 km west
- Description
- Remote and wild beach on western coast through suburb of Karori. One of the most secluded beaches in Wellington.
- Seasonal Notes
- Remote location reached through Karori. Westerly exposure good for sunset viewing. Not a primary swim destination but scenic after a walk.
Best For
- wilderness walks
- watersports
- picnicking
- sunsets
General Info
- Best Season
- October-March (late spring to summer); water is cold in winter
- Swimming Tips
- Check LAWA website for current water quality before swimming. Avoid swimming 2-3 days after heavy rain. New Zealand experiences extreme weather; Wellington has no shortage of wind.
- Water Temperature
- Cool year-round; wetsuits recommended for most swimming
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this beaches research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.thespinoff.co.nz
- 2.mercure.accor.com
- 3.tripadvisor.com
- 4.wellington.govt.nz
- 5.coconutlands.com
- 6.nutbrownrose.com
- 7.myguidewellington.com
- 8.campervannewzealand.co.nz
- 9.stayz.com.au
- 10.wellington.govt.nz
- 11.wellington.govt.nz
- 12.lawa.org.nz
- 13.lawa.org.nz
- 14.explorewellington.nz
- 15.explorewellington.nz
- 16.theswimguide.org
- 17.theswimguide.org
- 18.sandee.com
- 19.theswimguide.org
- 20.wellington.govt.nz
- 21.airial.travel
- 22.explorewellington.nz
- 23.explorewellington.nz
- 24.holidify.com
- 25.us.trip.com
- 26.sandee.com
- 27.scorching-bay-beach.wheree.com
- 28.tripadvisor.co.nz
- 29.wanderlog.com
- 30.wise.com
- 31.nz.finance.yahoo.com
- 32.tradingeconomics.com
More About Wellington
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.