Opunake Beach is a very popular South Taranaki Beach. There are no large rivers near the beach. However, the freshwater stream from the Opunake Power Station flows across the southern end of the beach.
Surf lifeguards patrol the beach at times during weekends and public holidays over summer. The beach is accessed from car parks along the beachfront and the adjacent campground.
Recreational bathing surveys over the last two summers (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) showed that 100% of beach samples met the marine microbiological water quality guidelines prepared by the Ministry of the Environment in conjunction with the Ministry of Health (MfE, 2003) and did not exceed the ‘Action’ level (two consecutive samples >280 enterococci/100 ml).
The State of the Environment technical report showing the coastal recreational monitoring results for 2018-2019 is available at
www.trc.govt.nz/environmental-monitoring-technical-reports/
Please note that the Taranaki Regional Council calculates the Overall Bacteria Risk (risk of bacterial infection from swimming) for each site based on the test results of bacteria samples collected during routine sampling events. The test results of follow up samples are not included in the assessment of risk by the regional council.
Keep your distance from other people.
Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.
- Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time
Historical Status
Keep your distance from other people.
Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.
- Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time
- Historical Status
Opunake Beach is a very popular South Taranaki Beach. There are no large rivers near the beach. However, the freshwater stream from the Opunake Power Station flows across the southern end of the beach.
Surf lifeguards patrol the beach at times during weekends and public holidays over summer. The beach is accessed from car parks along the beachfront and the adjacent campground.
Recreational bathing surveys over the last two summers (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) showed that 100% of beach samples met the marine microbiological water quality guidelines prepared by the Ministry of the Environment in conjunction with the Ministry of Health (MfE, 2003) and did not exceed the ‘Action’ level (two consecutive samples >280 enterococci/100 ml).
The State of the Environment technical report showing the coastal recreational monitoring results for 2018-2019 is available at
www.trc.govt.nz/environmental-monitoring-technical-reports/
Please note that the Taranaki Regional Council calculates the Overall Bacteria Risk (risk of bacterial infection from swimming) for each site based on the test results of bacteria samples collected during routine sampling events. The test results of follow up samples are not included in the assessment of risk by the regional council.
