Titahi Bay
- Freeride, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Titahi Bay is a sandy beach break known for generally consistent surf on the Porirua coast. It produces lefts and rights on a wide, beginner-friendly section of beach, and it can also offer more challenging, point-based waves when swells build. For wave direction and swell, northwest swell is commonly cited as working well, with a workable swell-height window around 0.5 to 2.0 meters. Conditions are typically described as peeling and moderately powerful, and the break is reported to work at all tide stages. Wind effects matter: southeast or south winds are generally offshore and help groom the waves, while north/northwest winds tend to be onshore and messier. Safety is a key consideration at this spot. Hazardous rocks are present at both the northern and southern ends, and rip currents can develop, particularly near the headlands. In addition, an unusual feature of Titahi Bay is the presence of fossilized forest stumps (ancient logs) that can appear in the surf zone and—especially at low tide—can damage boards and fins. For wind sports, strong southerlies and frontal-weather setups influence conditions. Wind data is often described as moderate and dependent on frontal systems; gustiness is noted. For kitesurfing, experienced riders are advised for Northwest wind, while southerlies are described as generally not recommended due to gusty conditions. Windsurfing is also supported, particularly for slalom/speed with cross-offshore southerly wind, and wingfoiling is described as increasingly popular with attention needed at low tide due to the hidden stumps.
- Consistent sandy beach break
- Offshore grooming with southeast/south winds
- All-tide usability for surfing
- Unusual fossil forest stumps can be exposed at low tide
- Consistent sandy beach break with lefts and rights
- Works across all tide stages
- Southeast or south winds can groom the waves (offshore effect)
- Beginner-friendly conditions on the main beach; points can offer more advanced riding when waves increase
- Rocks at the northern and southern headlands/points can create hazards
- Fossilized forest stumps can be exposed at low tide and may damage boards/fins
- Rip currents can form, especially near rocky headlands
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W, S, SE
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind can be strongly influenced by frontal weather systems; conditions are very dependent on the synoptic setup.
- Reliability
- Moderate; highly dependent on frontal weather systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, March, April
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Surf size is often described as small; some sources also describe medium swell/wave energy depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water described as chop by one source.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample room for launching; points require walking.
Through the year
Sometimes crowded, with busy periods on summer weekends (and a surfing peak during northwesterly/NW swell events).
Winter months (June–August) see more frequent storms and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Suitable for experienced riders when the wind is Northwest. Southerlies are generally not recommended due to gusty wind arriving over land.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
A popular choice for Wellington windsurfers when harbor conditions are too extreme. Southerly winds are described as cross-offshore and favorable for speed and slalom.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Growing in popularity. Reported for flat-water sessions in strong southerly winds and for NW swell riding; watch for fossilized stumps at low tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly reported as yes.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A sandy beach break with lefts and rights. The main beach suits beginners, while the points become more rideable when waves are bigger.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works across all tide stages.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Generally exposed; some local shelter can occur at the southern end in strong southerly winds.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast or south winds are offshore and tend to groom the waves; north/northwest winds are onshore and can make conditions messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles moderate to larger swells; points can become rideable when waves are bigger. Another note indicates it can close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good by surf-focused sources, though another guide describes it as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling, medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Often fast and punchy with short rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy waves that typically offer short rides (often cited around 30–50 meters).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Titahi Bay in the full forecast view.
Titahi Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–28 ktsGusts 46 kts
- Direction
- NW325°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2728 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.9 m6s period
- Temperature
- 11–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Titahi Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 6–28 kts, peaking around 28 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 46 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.2–2.9 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
- Fossilized forest stumps (ancient logs) buried in the sand (particularly at low tide)
- Rocks at the northern and southern headlands / points
- Rip currents
- Swimmers
- Vehicle traffic on the beach at permitted times
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are present seasonally.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue coverage is limited; maritime rescue services cover the wider Porirua/Kapiti coastal area and surf life-saving patrols operate seasonally.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number is 111. Medical facilities include Kenepuru Community Hospital in Porirua (with major hospital services available further south).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism described as mild.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and follow standard surf zone etiquette. Check access rules: beach vehicle use is restricted and may require a permit.
- No vehicles on the beach without a permit (restricted hours/permit required).
- Dog restrictions in effect during summer months.
- Check the tide before surfing: low tide can expose the fossilized stumps which can damage boards and fins.
- In summer, dedicated swimming zones are often marked; watch out for swimmers.
- For wind direction effects: southeast or south winds are generally offshore and can groom conditions; north/northwest winds tend to be onshore and messier.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Porirua
- Nearest Town
- Titahi Bay
- Nearest Airport
- Wellington International Airport (WLG)
- Parking
- Parking is available at the main beach, with ample free parking reported at northern and southern ends and along the road.
- Public Transport
- Well-connected by the Kapiti Line passenger rail service and local buses linking Porirua city center to coastal suburbs; direct service to individual beaches may be limited.
- Access
- Sandy beach with ample access points along the beach; parking available at the main beach, with easier direct access to the main beach and walking required to points.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation in the broader Porirua area is available (including holiday rentals and suburban motels).
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and small shops are located within walking distance of the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops on the beach; gear may need to be brought from nearby shops or arranged via local schools.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair services are available through local surf shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Major museum and art gallery specializing in Māori and Pacific Island art.
Multi-purpose facility hosting sporting and cultural events.
Aerial high-ropes adventure park in the Battle Hill Farm Forest Park area.
Popular local gastropub and kitchen near the waterfront.
Family-friendly park with a splash pad, miniature train, and playground facilities.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Titahi Bay?
The best overall months at Titahi Bay are June. The best wind months are September, October, November, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Titahi Bay?
Titahi Bay works with NW, W, S, SE winds. Offshore directions are S.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Titahi Bay?
Recommended equipment sizes at Titahi Bay: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Titahi Bay suitable for?
Titahi Bay suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.