Waimārama

Waimārama is a long sweep of golden sand facing east across Hawke Bay, the big, popular beach of the southern Hawke's Bay coast. Multiple peaks run the length of the beach producing lefts and rights, and the pick is the more defined right-hander that breaks off the rocks at the southern end, the one wave that gathers the keener locals when it turns on. It picks up E and SE swells through the year, likes a W offshore, and notably holds a SW wind better than Ocean Beach up the coast, which makes it the go-to when a southerly is blowing. Mid to high incoming tide is the call, and the length of the beach means you can usually find your own peak.

It is first and foremost a family beach, patrolled by the Waimārama Surf Life Saving Club through summer, busy with swimmers and holidaymakers, and well set up with a store, campground and the little settlement behind the dunes. Motu-o-Kura, Bare Island, sits offshore as the landmark you line up against. The surf crowd stays moderate even when the swimmers are out in force, and for the inland crowd from Hastings and Havelock North it is the accessible, dependable surf within an easy run of home.

• The southern right is the quality wave here, wrapping off the rocks with proper shape, but it needs a bit of size and the rocks are part of the deal, so know the bottom before you commit to it.
• Walk for your peak rather than paddling out at the first bank you reach, because the beach is long and the sand shifts, so the best sandbar moves. On a busy summer day, walk well clear of the surf-club flags and the swimmers to find a quieter one.
• When a southerly is blowing and Ocean Beach is blown out, this is often the cleaner of the two, so it is worth the drive over on those days rather than writing the coast off.
• It makes a full-day family beach for a mixed crew, with safe patrolled swimming, a store and a campground, so pair a surf with the beach, and round the day out with Bare Island and the Hawke's Bay wineries inland.

• Rips form between the peaks on a bigger swell, so read the banks and the current from the sand before you paddle out and note where the water is pulling.
• Rock and reef sit at the southern end and dry out at lower tides, so mind the bottom around the right-hander and time it for enough water over the rocks.
• Patrolled only through summer (Nov to Mar), so outside those months there is no lifeguard and you are best surfing with company.
• It is an open, exposed beach that picks up wind quickly, so a session can turn choppy fast if the breeze swings onshore, and getting in early pays off.

Getting there

Waimārama is about 30 minutes south-east of Havelock North and Hastings on a sealed road over the hills. Park at the beach reserve by the surf club, or further along the beachfront road.

Parking

Sealed parking at the main beach reserve by the surf club and along the beachfront. For the southern right-hander, park toward the south end and walk.

Toilets & showers

Public toilets and a cold shower by the surf club and the main beach reserve. The surf club patrols the swimming area through summer.

Shops, cafes & fuel

Waimārama has a general store and a cafe in the settlement. Nearest fuel and supermarkets are in Havelock North or Hastings, 30 minutes away.

Accommodation

The Waimārama settlement has baches and Bookabach holiday homes, plus the beachfront campground. Havelock North and Hastings have motels and the wine-country stays 30 minutes inland.

Camping

The Waimārama Beach Holiday Park behind the beach has powered and tent sites and is the main camping option. Freedom camping is restricted under the Hastings District Council bylaw, so use the campground.