Last updated October 2026
Paekākāriki Beach is a long sandy beach on the Kāpiti Coast, at the southern edge of Queen Elizabeth Park. Kāpiti Coast District Council says it is one of only two beaches in the district with surf lifeguards on duty, and Visit Kāpiti lists it for swimming, surfing, bodyboarding and fishing.
The testing spot by the surf club holds a Good long-term grade on LAWA. It is easy to reach from Wellington by car or on the Kāpiti Line train.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested every two weeks all year by Greater Wellington. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Paekākāriki Beach
Saturday 24 OctoberWater quality track record
Good at 1 testing spot, Fair at 1 (2019 to 2025)ShowHide
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 (Surf Club: 77 per 100 mL from 132 tests; Whareroa Road: 302 per 100 mL from 60 tests).
Surf Facts
Surf today at Paekākāriki Beach
Surf break at Paekākāriki Beach
Practical Information
- Location
- The Parade, Paekākāriki, Kāpiti Coast
- By train
- Paekākāriki station on the Kāpiti Line
- Water
- Open west coast beach, tidal (nearest tide station: Paraparaumu Beach)
- Water quality
- Good by the surf club; Fair at Whareroa Road to the north (LAWA long-term grades)
- Testing
- Every two weeks all year by Greater Wellington
- Lifeguards
- Paekākāriki Surf Lifeguards, in summer; check the club for this season’s times
- Facilities
- Parking, toilets, changing rooms and a picnic area at Queen Elizabeth Park
- Dogs
- On a lead 10am to 7pm between Beach Road and the Wainui Stream estuary, 1 December to the end of daylight saving
- Cost
- Free
About Paekākāriki Beach
The beach runs north from the village along the edge of Queen Elizabeth Park, a Greater Wellington regional park. The park’s Paekākāriki entrance, at the end of Wellington Road, gives access to picnic areas, the surf lifesaving club and the beach, and a heritage tram runs through the park.
The area has a strong wartime story. Greater Wellington says more than 15,000 United States troops were stationed at Camp Russell, Camp Mackay and Camp Paekākāriki in 1942 and 1943, and the park has a US Marines display and the Yankee Trail between two memorials. Kāpiti Coast District Council also suggests keeping an eye out for kōrorā, little penguins.
Swimming and Water Quality at Paekākāriki
Greater Wellington tests two spots every two weeks all year and shares the results on LAWA. By the surf club, the beach has a Good long-term grade: 99% of 162 tests between June 2019 and April 2025 were suitable for swimming.
Further north at Whareroa Road, the grade is Fair, with 84% of 81 tests between November 2019 and March 2025 suitable, so it is best avoided after rain.
Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
Kāpiti Coast District Council advises staying out of streams and stream mouths, watching for strong currents, tidal rips and steep drop-offs, never swimming alone and keeping small children within arm’s length. The Wainui Stream comes out at the northern end of the beach.
Paekākāriki Surf Lifeguards patrol in summer, with extra cover from Surf Life Saving New Zealand; check the club for this season’s times. The flags are usually not far along from the end of The Parade. Between the flags, only swimming and bodysurfing are allowed.
Surfing at Paekākāriki
Greater Wellington’s Natural Resources Plan lists Paekākāriki as a surf break with sand beach breaks, left and right, rated for all skill levels. Surfboards are not allowed between the flags, so surf away from the patrol area when lifeguards are on duty.
Like any open beach, the sandbanks shift and rips form, so check the conditions before you paddle out.
Getting There and Facilities
By car, turn off State Highway 1 into Paekākāriki and follow Wellington Road to the park entrance and The Parade. By train, get off at Paekākāriki station on the Kāpiti Line; Greater Wellington says the southern park entrance is a 1.5 km walk or bike ride from the station.
Queen Elizabeth Park has car parking, toilets, changing rooms and picnic areas, and Paekākāriki Holiday Park is at the entrance. Keep at least 50 m from any boat ramp or launching area while boats are manoeuvring there.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Greater Wellington: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and long-term grade by the surf club.
Kāpiti Coast District Council: swimming at the beach: patrolled beaches, water quality and the council’s safety advice.
Greater Wellington: Queen Elizabeth Park: park entrances, facilities, history and getting there by train.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Paekākāriki Beach?
Yes. It is one of two Kāpiti beaches with surf lifeguards. Swim between the flags, check LAWA first, and stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like?
Good by the surf club, where 99% of 162 tests between June 2019 and April 2025 were suitable for swimming. It is Fair further north at Whareroa Road.
When is the beach patrolled?
On Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5pm between October and the end of February, with extra weekday cover over Christmas and New Year.
Can you surf at Paekākāriki?
Yes. Greater Wellington rates the beach breaks for all skill levels. Surf away from the flags, which are for swimming and bodysurfing only.
Can you get there by train?
Yes. Paekākāriki station is on the Kāpiti Line, about 1.5 km from the southern entrance to Queen Elizabeth Park.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, but from 1 December to the end of daylight saving they must be on a lead from 10am to 7pm between Beach Road and the Wainui Stream estuary.
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