Last updated October 2026
York Bay is a small sandy-gravel beach in Lower Hutt’s Eastern Bays, on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour, about 11 kilometres in a straight line from central Wellington. It sits between two rocky outcrops on Marine Drive, which give it some shelter from larger swells.
A consent report prepared for Hutt City Council records relatively heavy local use for swimming and boat launching, although LAWA notes it is better known as a spot for walking. Greater Wellington tests the water every two weeks over summer, and York Bay holds a Good LAWA long-term grade. There are no toilets or changing rooms at the beach.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested every two weeks Nov–Mar by Greater Wellington. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at York Bay
Wednesday 4 NovemberWater 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 (198 per 100 mL from 72 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Marine Drive, York Bay, Eastern Bays, Lower Hutt
- Distance from Wellington
- About 11 km in a straight line across the harbour; further by road via Petone and Seaview
- Water
- Harbour beach, sandy gravel, tidal (nearest tide station: Wellington)
- Water quality
- Good (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Every two weeks from November to March by Greater Wellington
- Dogs
- Prohibited 9am to 8pm from 1 December to 31 March where signs say so
- Facilities nearby
- None at the beach: no toilets or changing rooms
About York Bay
York Bay is one of the string of small bays along Marine Drive between Point Howard and Eastbourne, south of Lowry Bay and north of Māhina Bay.
Like its neighbours, it is a narrow strip of beach backed by the road, with houses climbing the bush-covered hillside behind. The beach is sandy gravel, framed by rocky outcrops at each end, and part of it normally stays dry at high tide.
The Eastern Bays beaches are used mostly by local residents for swimming, small boat launching, walking and dog walking. At York Bay, the consent report for the Eastern Bays shared path found relatively heavy local use for both swimming and boat launching.
The report also notes that the Wellington Coastline Swim Series has included a leg between York Bay and Days Bay, further along the coast.
The bay has changed in recent years with Tupua Horo Nuku, Hutt City Council’s 4.4-kilometre seawall and shared path along Marine Drive.
York Bay residents raised concerns about the path encroaching on the beach, and the design was refined to reduce how far it widened onto the sand. Beach nourishment was proposed to make up for lost beach space. Construction of the York Bay section was completed in December 2024.
The hills behind the bay are part of East Harbour Regional Park, and the consent report notes that the park’s Kaitawa Track links to York Bay, so a swim can follow a walk in the bush above the harbour.
Swimming and Water Quality at York Bay
York Bay faces Wellington Harbour rather than the open sea, and its rocky outcrops give it some protection from larger swells. It is not patrolled, so swim within your depth and keep children close. Small boats are launched here, so keep clear when boats are coming and going.
Greater Wellington tests the water at York Bay every two weeks from November to March and publishes the results on LAWA. The site has a Good LAWA long-term grade, based on 72 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Of 93 tests between December 2019 and March 2025, 92% were suitable for swimming. A Good grade means the water has rarely been found 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, when stormwater can carry bacteria into the harbour. LAWA’s rule of thumb is simple: if you cannot see your toes in knee-deep water, give swimming a miss.
Getting There and Facilities
York Bay is on Marine Drive, the coastal road from Petone and Seaview to Eastbourne, so the beach is right beside the road. There are no toilets or changing rooms at York Bay, so come prepared. Point Howard, to the north, has a toilet and changing shed near its beach, and Rona Bay in Eastbourne has toilets and changing facilities.
Dogs are prohibited on York Bay beach, including its picnic and leisure areas, from 9am to 8pm between 1 December and 31 March where signs say so. Outside those hours and months, dogs must still be under control, and the council’s rules on leads in public places apply.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Greater Wellington: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and long-term grade for York Bay.
Hutt City Council: Tupua Horo Nuku: the Eastern Bays seawall and shared path along Marine Drive, including the York Bay section.
Hutt City Council: dog exercise areas: summer dog rules for York Bay and other Lower Hutt beaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at York Bay?
Yes. York Bay is used by locals for swimming and boat launching, and Greater Wellington tests the water over summer. It is not patrolled, so check LAWA first and stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like at York Bay?
York Bay has a Good LAWA long-term grade, based on summers 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 93 tests between December 2019 and March 2025, 92% were suitable for swimming.
When is York Bay tested?
Greater Wellington samples the water every two weeks from November to March, and results are published on LAWA.
Are there toilets at York Bay?
No. There are no toilets or changing rooms at the beach. Point Howard and Rona Bay in Eastbourne both have toilets and changing facilities.
Are dogs allowed at York Bay?
Dogs are prohibited on the beach from 9am to 8pm between 1 December and 31 March where signs say so.
Is York Bay sheltered?
Partly. It is on the harbour rather than the open coast, and the rocky outcrops at each end give some protection from larger swells.
Can you launch a boat at York Bay?
Yes. A recreation assessment for the shared path recorded relatively heavy local use of York Bay for boat launching. Swimmers should keep clear of boats coming and going.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 2
- Today at York Bay: Tides: LINZ, CC BY 4.0; predictions only. Sea temperature: NASA JPL MUR satellite data for 2 Nov, via Tideteller.
- Water quality track record: Water quality: © LAWA and partner organisations (Greater Wellington), licensed under CC BY 4.0, results to April 2025.