Last updated October 2026
Hataitai Beach is a small inner-harbour beach on Evans Bay Parade, on the western side of Evans Bay, about 3 kilometres from central Wellington.
Wellington City Council lists it as suitable for swimming, and LAWA describes a gravel beach that grades gently into sandy Evans Bay, sheltered and calm, between old boatsheds and the redeveloped Cog Park. There are changing rooms and a toilet on the beachfront, with parking at nearby Balaena Bay.
Greater Wellington tests the water weekly over summer, and the beach holds a Fair LAWA long-term grade, which means it is usually fine but best avoided after rain.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Mar by Greater Wellington. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Hataitai Beach
Wednesday 28 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 (372 per 100 mL from 74 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Evans Bay Parade, Hataitai, on the western side of Evans Bay
- Distance from Wellington
- About 3 km from the city centre
- Water
- Sheltered inner-harbour beach, gravel grading to sand, tidal (nearest tide station: Wellington)
- Water quality
- Fair (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Weekly from November to March by Greater Wellington
- Dogs
- 1 December to 1 March: on a lead before 10am and after 7pm, prohibited 10am to 7pm. 2 March to 30 November: on a lead at any time
- Facilities nearby
- Changing rooms and a toilet on the beachfront; steps and a concrete ramp to the beach; car park at nearby Balaena Bay; boat ramp by Cog Park
About Hataitai Beach
Hataitai Beach sits below the suburb of Hataitai, which lies between the Town Belt and the shore of Evans Bay. The suburb takes its name from Whātaitai, one of the two taniwha of Te Whanganui-a-Tara in Māori tradition. The name was chosen by the syndicate that subdivided the land in 1901.
The beach has a long history as a swimming spot. The Hataitai Bathing Club, now the Hataitai Amateur Swimming Club, formed in 1908. Its clubhouse, built in 1912, was demolished in the 1970s, and the council then built the changing rooms and toilet used today.
Bathers in Evans Bay also once enjoyed the warm water discharged from the power station at Shag Point, which closed in 1968.
The beach is framed by history on both sides. Fifteen privately owned boatsheds stand on piles above the water between Hataitai Beach and the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club, most likely built between the mid-1920s and early 1930s to store small boats.
At the northern end is Cog Park, named after a large cog wheel that was once part of the winding gear of the Evans Bay Patent Slip, which opened in 1873 and is now a Category 2 historic place.
In 2025 Wellington City Council finished a new seawall and cycleway along this stretch of Evans Bay Parade. Some residents said the seawall encroached onto the beach, and the council said it might add sand. Check the council’s page for current access notices: stair access to the sea at the public toilets has been temporarily closed for maintenance.
Swimming and Water Quality at Hataitai Beach
Evans Bay is a large inner arm of Wellington Harbour, and Hataitai Beach is sheltered and usually calm. Yachts are often moored not far offshore, and there is a boat ramp at the northern end by Cog Park, so keep an eye out for boats and stay clear of the ramp. There are no lifeguards listed for this beach, so keep children within reach.
Greater Wellington tests the water at Hataitai Beach every week from November to March and publishes results on LAWA. The site has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on 74 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 92 tests between December 2019 and March 2025, 92% were suitable for swimming.
A Fair grade means the water is usually fine for swimming, but it is more likely to be unsuitable after rain, when stormwater from the surrounding suburbs drains into the bay. Two tests were unsuitable in the 2024/25 summer, including the last result in the record.
Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. As a rule of thumb, if you cannot see your toes in knee-deep water, it is better not to swim.
Getting There and Facilities
Hataitai Beach is on Evans Bay Parade, the waterfront road around Evans Bay between Oriental Bay and Kilbirnie. The council notes the nearest car park is at Balaena Bay, a short walk along the parade, and steps and a concrete ramp lead down to the sand. Changing rooms and a toilet are right by the beach.
The new cycleway along this stretch of Evans Bay Parade also makes the beach easy to reach by bike. Neighbouring Balaena Bay is another sheltered swimming bay on the same shore, also with changing rooms and toilets.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Greater Wellington: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and long-term grade for Hataitai Beach.
Wellington City Council: facilities, dog rules and current access notices for Hataitai Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Hataitai Beach?
Yes. Wellington City Council lists Hataitai Beach as suitable for swimming, and the water is tested weekly over summer. Check LAWA before you swim and stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like at Hataitai Beach?
Hataitai Beach has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on summers 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 92 tests between December 2019 and March 2025, 92% were suitable for swimming. Quality is more likely to drop after rain.
When is the water at Hataitai Beach tested?
Greater Wellington samples the beach every week from November to March, and results are published on LAWA.
Are there toilets and changing rooms at Hataitai Beach?
Yes. There are changing rooms and a toilet on the beachfront. Steps and a concrete ramp lead down to the beach.
Where do you park for Hataitai Beach?
Wellington City Council points visitors to the car park at nearby Balaena Bay on Evans Bay Parade.
Are dogs allowed at Hataitai Beach?
From 1 December to 1 March, dogs are prohibited between 10am and 7pm and must be on a lead outside those hours. For the rest of the year, dogs are allowed on a lead at any time.
Is Hataitai Beach sheltered?
Yes. It is an inner-harbour beach on Evans Bay, and LAWA describes it as sheltered and calm. Watch for boats, as yachts moor offshore and there is a boat ramp at the northern end.
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