Last updated October 2026
Ōākura Beach is the main beach of Ōākura village, about 15 kilometres south-west of New Plymouth on Surf Highway 45. The beach faces the open sea, with the Kaitake Range rising behind the village. Venture Taranaki describes it as a popular beach, especially for families, and it is patrolled by surf lifeguards in summer.
Taranaki Regional Council tests the water every week over summer at two spots, opposite the surf club and opposite the motor camp, and both hold a Fair long-term grade on LAWA. Parking, showers, toilets, drinking water and a playground are close to the beachfront.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Mar by Taranaki Regional Council. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Ōākura Beach
Monday 26 OctoberWater quality track record
Fair at all 2 testing spots (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 (Ōākura opposite motorcamp: 223 per 100 mL from 95 tests; Ōākura opposite surf lifesaving club: 460 per 100 mL from 105 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Tasman Parade, Ōākura beachfront, on Surf Highway 45 south-west of New Plymouth
- Distance from New Plymouth
- About 15 km south-west of the city on State Highway 45
- Water
- Open sea beach, tidal (nearest tide station: Port Taranaki)
- Water quality
- Fair at both testing spots (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Weekly from November to March by Taranaki Regional Council, opposite the surf club and opposite the motor camp
- Patrols
- Surf lifeguards from New Plymouth Old Boys Surf Life Saving Club patrol the beach in summer
- Dogs
- Banned from the main beach between the motor camp access and Wairau Road from 10am to 6pm, Labour Weekend to Easter Monday (NPDC Dog Control Bylaw)
- Facilities nearby
- Parking, showers, toilets, drinking water and a playground
About Ōākura Beach
Ōākura is a small seaside township on Surf Highway 45, between New Plymouth and Ōkato. The Ōākura River flows past the town into the North Taranaki Bight, and to the south the Kaitake Range forms part of Egmont National Park.
NewZealand.com describes the township as centred around a picturesque beach that suits families and beginner surfers, with an arty community and a mix of holiday homes and cafés.
The beachfront runs along Tasman Parade. The surf club is on the beachfront on Tasman Parade, and the Ōākura Beach Holiday Park is further west along the beach, close to the second testing spot. The small Wairau Stream reaches the sea at the beach, and the Ōākura River mouth at Corbett Park lies at the eastern, New Plymouth end.
New Plymouth Old Boys Surf Life Saving Club is based at Ōākura and patrols the beach over summer. Venture Taranaki notes that the beach hosts a New Year’s Day Carnival that draws thousands of people and raises money for the club each year.
In 2007 Ōākura Beach became one of the first Blue Flag accredited beaches in Oceania, an international award for beaches that meet standards for water quality, safety and environmental management. The area also has a long history: Governor George Grey established redoubts around Ōākura in 1863, just before the Second Taranaki War, and Ōākura School was founded in 1866.
Swimming and Water Quality at Ōākura Beach
Taranaki Regional Council samples Ōākura Beach every week from November to the end of March and posts the results on LAWA, usually by the Thursday evening after sampling. There are two testing spots, and both have a Fair LAWA long-term grade.
Opposite the surf life saving club, the Fair grade is based on 105 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25. Across 142 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 77% were suitable for swimming.
Opposite the motor camp, the Fair grade is based on 95 routine tests over the same summers, and 91% of 112 tests between November 2019 and March 2025 were suitable for swimming. A Fair grade means the water is usually fine for swimming but can be affected after rain, when runoff from streams and land reaches the sea.
Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. New Plymouth District Council advises waiting at least three days after heavy or prolonged rainfall, even at sites that generally have good water quality.
Temporary warnings do happen: in December 2022 the council put up no swimming signs after a sewage spill at Shearer Reserve, and lifted them the next day once Te Whatu Ora Taranaki gave the beach the all-clear.
Swim between the red and yellow flags when lifeguards are on patrol. This is an open surf beach and rips can form, especially in a big swell.
In January 2020 a woman died after she and a companion were caught in a rip in front of the camp ground and pulled out into a large swell, outside the club’s patrol hours. If you are not confident in surf, wait for patrol hours and stay in the flagged area.
Surfing at Ōākura
Venture Taranaki calls Ōākura Beach perfect for beginner surfers. Three breaks here are listed as regionally significant surf breaks in Schedule 8 of the Taranaki Regional Council’s Coastal Plan: Oākura Beach, Oākura Camp Ground and Oruarire (the Ōākura River mouth).
Surfers and swimmers share the water, so surf away from the flagged swimming area during patrol hours.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Taranaki Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and long-term grade opposite the surf club (the motor camp spot has its own LAWA page).
New Plymouth District Council: map of monitored swimming sites in the district, with current wastewater overflow warnings.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand: details for New Plymouth Old Boys Surf Life Saving Club, which patrols Ōākura Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Ōākura Beach?
Yes. Ōākura Beach is a popular family swimming beach, patrolled by surf lifeguards in summer and tested weekly by Taranaki Regional Council. Check LAWA before you swim and stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like at Ōākura Beach?
Both testing spots have a Fair LAWA long-term grade for summers 2020/21 to 2024/25. Opposite the surf club, 77% of 142 tests were suitable for swimming; opposite the motor camp, 91% of 112 tests were.
Is Ōākura Beach patrolled?
Yes, in summer. New Plymouth Old Boys Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach. Swim between the red and yellow flags and check the club’s current patrol times before you go.
Are there rips at Ōākura Beach?
Yes, rips can form, particularly in a big swell. Swim in the flagged area during patrol hours, and if you get caught, stay calm, float and raise an arm for help.
Can I take my dog to Ōākura Beach?
Dogs are banned from the main beach between the motor camp entrance and Wairau Road from 10am to 6pm, from Labour Weekend to Easter Monday. A similar summer ban covers the Ōākura River mouth at Corbett Park.
Is Ōākura good for surfing?
Yes. It is known as a good beach for beginners, and the beach, camp ground and river mouth breaks are all listed as regionally significant surf breaks in the Taranaki Coastal Plan.
How far is Ōākura from New Plymouth?
Ōākura is about 15 kilometres south-west of New Plymouth on Surf Highway 45, roughly a 15-minute drive.
What facilities are at Ōākura Beach?
Parking, showers, toilets, drinking water and a playground are all close to the beachfront, and a holiday park is next to the beach west of the surf club.
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