Waikanae Beach

Waikanae, Wellington (Kāpiti Coast), New Zealand

Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Parawing

Best time to go: January–April, September–December

Waikanae Beach is on the Kāpiti Coast, about 50 minutes north of Wellington, facing Kāpiti Island across the Rauoterangi Channel. Wellington's strong north-westerlies and southerlies both reach the beach, blowing cross-shore to cross-onshore, so there is wind on many days. The water is usually choppy with small waves, building in stronger winds.

The beach is long and sandy, with access points along the village and the Waikanae River mouth at the south end. Keep clear of the river mouth's currents and of swimmers near the patrolled area in summer. Kāpiti Island is a nature reserve; boats and riders must not land there without a permit.

Month by month at Waikanae Beach

January: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 19°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 27 sunny days, 12 rainy days
February: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 20°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 24 sunny days, 15 rainy days
March: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 19°C, air 19°C (nights 13°C), 28 sunny days, 14 rainy days
April: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 17°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 24 sunny days, 13 rainy days
May: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 10°C), 23 sunny days, 13 rainy days
June: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 14°C, air 14°C (nights 9°C), 19 sunny days, 15 rainy days
July: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2 m, water 13°C, air 12°C (nights 7°C), 20 sunny days, 16 rainy days
August: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 12°C, air 12°C (nights 7°C), 22 sunny days, 16 rainy days
September: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.5 m, water 13°C, air 14°C (nights 9°C), 25 sunny days, 17 rainy days
October: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 2.2 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 10°C), 24 sunny days, 22 rainy days
November: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 17°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 26 sunny days, 17 rainy days
December: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 19°C, air 19°C (nights 14°C), 27 sunny days, 21 rainy days

When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at Waikanae Beach?

January–April, September–December, when it is windy most often.

How warm is the water at Waikanae Beach?

12°C to 20°C over the year: a 3/2 full suit in the warmest month, a 5/4 with hood, boots and gloves in the coolest.

How windy is Waikanae Beach?

About 87 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in October.

Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).

Spots near Waikanae Beach

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