Waikanae Beach
Nude beach in Wellington, New Zealand
Waikanae Beach is a clothing-optional beach in Wellington, New Zealand. The sea is warmest in February at about 18°C (65°F) and coolest in August (13°C (55°F)). Average air temperatures peak in February at 17°C (62°F). There are 3 other naturist places within 50 km (31 mi), the closest being Peka Peka Beach (3.5 km (2.2 mi)).
Weather and water temperature at Waikanae Beach
Tap a month. Averages: air 2001–2025 (NASA POWER), sea 1991–2020 (NOAA OISST).
| Month | Air | Sea | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C | 17°C | 53 mm |
| February | 17°C | 18°C | 59 mm |
| March | 16°C | 18°C | 60 mm |
| April | 14°C | 17°C | 74 mm |
| May | 12°C | 16°C | 86 mm |
| June | 10°C | 14°C | 96 mm |
| July | 9°C | 13°C | 92 mm |
| August | 9°C | 13°C | 87 mm |
| September | 10°C | 13°C | 76 mm |
| October | 11°C | 14°C | 85 mm |
| November | 13°C | 15°C | 66 mm |
| December | 15°C | 16°C | 76 mm |
Not sure what the numbers mean? Here is how warm is warm enough to swim.
Visiting
- Coordinates: -40.85745, 175.02484 · OpenStreetMap
- Local law: is public nudity legal in New Zealand?
- Before you go, read our nude beach etiquette guide.
- First time? Read our guide to your first time at a nude beach.
Naturist places near Waikanae Beach
- 1Peka Peka Beach nude beach · WellingtonClothing optionalSea 13°C in August
- 2Te Horo Beach nude beach · WellingtonClothing optionalSea 13°C in August
- 3Wellington Naturist Club nudist resort · WellingtonNaturist only
- 4Ototoka Beach nude beach · Manawatū-WhanganuiTolerated
Status labels: Official · Naturist only · Clothing optional · Tolerated · Customary · Listed · Prohibited · Closed. Statuses come from open data and are not yet verified in person.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waikanae Beach clothing optional?
Waikanae Beach is listed as "clothing optional" according to OpenStreetMap (nudism=allowed). Rules can change, and clothing-optional zones are often only part of a beach, so look for signs on arrival and follow local rules. NudistMap has not yet verified this status in person. You can check what applies in New Zealand before you go.
How warm is the water at Waikanae Beach?
Long-term sea surface temperatures (NOAA OISST, 1991–2020) range from 13°C (55°F) to 18°C (65°F) in February. Water at the shore can be a few degrees different.
What other naturist places are near Waikanae Beach?
The closest are Peka Peka Beach (3.5 km (2.2 mi)), Te Horo Beach (8.8 km (5.5 mi)) and Wellington Naturist Club (28 km (17 mi)).
Sources
Status from OpenStreetMap (nudism=allowed). Not yet verified against an official source; local rules may have changed. Data updated 2026-10-31. All data sources and licenses. © OpenStreetMap contributors.