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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing bodyboardSurfing longboardSurfing shortboardBeginnersAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Fairly consistent surf year-round
  • Offshore west winds can improve cleanliness and grooming
  • Offers both left and right waves
  • Rarely crowded
Heads up
  • 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
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
9–16 °C
Water Temperature
4–20 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan, Feb, Mar: 4/3mmJun–Oct: 5/4mm hooded + Boots, Gloves, Hood
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded year-round; more likely local riders on weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

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.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Reef breakPoint breakBeach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsGlovesHoodWetsuit

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

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.

Best time to visit: Late spring through summer (November to March) offers the most pleasant weather for combining wind sports with general sightseeing.
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony14 km

A conservation site where visitors can watch the world’s smallest penguins return to shore at dusk.

Oamaru Victorian Precinct15 km

A historic area featuring impressive 19th-century limestone architecture, galleries, and craft shops.

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail15 km

The final section of New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail ends in nearby Oamaru.

Riverstone Kitchen25 km

Award-winning restaurant focused on locally sourced and garden-grown ingredients.

Friendly Bay Playground15 km

A large, steampunk-themed playground located on the Oamaru waterfront.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.