The Best Beaches in Gisborne - Ranked by Locals
- motel38
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ask ten locals about the best beach in Gisborne and you’ll get ten different answers.
Not because they’re being difficult. It’s because each beach here does something slightly different. Some are for surfing, some for swimming, some for doing very little at all.
So instead of pretending there’s a single “best”, here’s a more honest take. These are the beaches locals actually go to, and why.
Wainui Beach
Best for: sunrise, surf, and feeling like you’ve started the day properly
If Gisborne had a headline act, this would be it.
Wainui Beach is where the day begins. Surfers are out early, the light comes in clean, and there’s a quiet sense that something is happening even if you’re just standing there with a coffee.
It’s not always the calmest place for a swim, but that’s not really the point.
Come here early. Even if you’re not a morning person, it tends to convert people.
Midway Beach
Best for: easy access, swimming, and not overthinking things
Midway Beach is the opposite of complicated.
It’s close to town, easy to get to, and usually a bit calmer than Wainui. If you’re after a straightforward swim or a relaxed walk, this is the one.
No planning required. Just turn up and get on with it.
Makorori Beach
Best for: views, a bit of drama, and feeling slightly removed
Head a little further out and things start to feel different.
Makorori Beach has more edge to it. Stronger surf, more rugged scenery, and a sense that you’re stepping slightly away from the everyday.
Even if you don’t get in the water, it’s worth it for the views alone.
Waikanae Beach
Best for: convenience, families, and a slower pace
Right near town and the river, Waikanae Beach is one of the easier options.
It’s popular with families, generally calmer, and well suited if you’re not looking for surf or big conditions.
It might not have the same energy as Wainui, but that’s exactly why some people prefer it.
Sponge Bay
Best for: something a bit different
A little more tucked away, Sponge Bay feels like a change of scene.
Smaller, more sheltered, and slightly off the usual path, it’s a good option if you want something quieter or just a break from the more open beaches.
So… Which One Is Actually the Best?
It depends what you’re after.
For sunrise and atmosphere: Wainui
For an easy swim: Midway
For scenery and surf: Makorori
For convenience: Waikanae
For something quieter: Sponge Bay
Most people end up visiting more than one without really planning to.
Staying Close to the Coast
One of the advantages of Gisborne is that nothing feels far away.
From Teal Motor Lodge, you’re only a short drive to all of these beaches. That means you don’t have to commit to just one. You can adjust depending on the weather, the time of day, or simply how you feel.
Final Thought
The best beach in Gisborne is usually the one you’re standing on at the time.
Conditions change, the light shifts, and what feels right in the morning might not be the same in the afternoon.
Try a couple. Don’t overthink it.
You’ll land on your favourite without trying too hard.
Comments