All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast)
- Bodyboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
All Day Bay on the Kakanui Coast is an exposed beach/reef/point break that can provide fairly consistent surf throughout the year, with both left and right wave options. The spot is noted as rarely crowded, making it a good fit for riders seeking quieter sessions on a rural coastline. Surf quality is strongly influenced by wind and swell alignment. The conditions tend to improve when west to west-southwest winds blow offshore, producing cleaner, more groomed wave faces. For swell, the spot is described as working best with a south-southeast swell, and the reef/point can respond differently than the beach—so which section is best often depends on where the swell is coming from. The area is exposed and includes rocky/reef features, so hazards extend beyond surf alone. Sharks are specifically reported as a hazard, and rip currents are also mentioned. The point/reef layout can be difficult to judge from the beach, so checking the rocks at low tide is recommended to better understand where the safer/cleaner lines are. Water temperatures are cold year-round (roughly 9–16°C in the provided monthly range), with mid-winter dropping to around the 9–10°C level in the region. Winter sessions typically require full rubber protection (including hooded suits and gloves), while spring/summer generally uses lighter wetsuit setups. Local medical help is available via major services in Oamaru, and there are no dedicated on-site rescue/lifeguard resources reported for the spot.
- Exposed, consistent surf year-round
- Both left and right waves
- Offshore west winds can give cleaner, groomed conditions
- Low crowd levels
- Fairly consistent surf year-round
- Offshore west winds can improve cleanliness and grooming
- Offers both left and right waves
- Rarely crowded
- Exposed conditions with rocks/reef sections
- Cool water year-round; winter typically requires thicker protection
- Sharks are reported as a hazard
- No on-site rescue/lifeguards reported
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW
- Offshore directions
- W, WSW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider describes frontal/variable systems; regional westerlies can also shift with fronts.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- June, July, August
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand is reported in one dataset; another describes mixed beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach area with rocky sections towards the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty reported.
Through the year
Rarely crowded year-round; more likely local riders on weekends.
Winter months see more frequent frontal systems; winter storms (June to August) bring the most significant swells and strongest winds in the region.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/reef/point break with generally consistent surf year-round, offering left and right waves. The right-hand point break is associated with the river mouth at the south end of the beach.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works across all tides (provider-stated).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastal setting.
- Wind Effect
- West and southwest winds are generally offshore and help create clean, groomed conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- The point can hold larger swells, while the beach break may close out.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Reported as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves are reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short to medium rides depending on which section is working.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short to medium rides depending on whether the point or beach section is working.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast) in the full forecast view.
All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–23 ktsGusts 38 kts
- Direction
- NW322°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2623 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.2 m6s period
- Temperature
- 6–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 38 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.3–1.2 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Sharks
- Rocks
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards on-site reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue bases; regional emergency response applies.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital services are in Oamaru.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild local rider presence; generally low conflict noted.
Rules of the spot
Check reef/rocks at low tide to understand the reef layout; expect exposed conditions with variable surf and currents.
- Offshore westerly flow generally gives cleaner, more groomed conditions.
- The point section can be more sensitive to swell direction than the beach break.
- Check the rocks at low tide to understand the reef layout.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Oamaru
- Nearest Town
- Kākaunui
- Parking
- Available near the beach access points
- Access
- Accessible by road via the Kakanui coast road
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday homes and campsites in Kākaunui and Oamaru.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and shops available in nearby Kākaunui.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local rental options are limited; some visitors bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated gear storage isn’t available immediately in the vicinity.
- Gear Repair
- Local repairs are limited; the region may require specialized repair via larger centers.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The region is known for its rugged limestone geology and wildlife, with a quiet, rural atmosphere compared with larger North Island tourist hubs.
A conservation site where visitors can watch the world’s smallest penguins return to shore at dusk.
A historic area featuring impressive 19th-century limestone architecture, galleries, and craft shops.
The final section of New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail ends in nearby Oamaru.
Award-winning restaurant focused on locally sourced and garden-grown ingredients.
A large, steampunk-themed playground located on the Oamaru waterfront.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast)?
The best overall months at All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast) are June. The best wind months are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast)?
All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast) works with W, WSW winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.
What skill level is All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast) suitable for?
All Day Bay (Kakanui Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.