CS2027 dates

Kite spot on water · New Zealand

Plimmerton

Riders have kited it in W–N. Best in NW.

Show on the map-41.0940, 174.8547
Works in
W–N
Best
NW
Watch out
N, NE
Nearest airport
WLGWellington International Airport, 26 km

Forecast and webcams

Before you go

Forecasts often disagree. When Windguru, ALADIN and Windy agree, it is worth going.

Tips for this spot

  • Offshore wind carries you away from land. Do not ride it without a rescue boat.
  • When a storm is coming, get out of the water and land the kite at once. Gusts before a storm are violent and a kite overhead is the highest point around.
  • New spot: ask locals about shallows, currents and where people launch.

On site

Wind and riding area

NNNENEENEEESESESSESSSWSWWSWWWNWNWNNWNESW

bestworksdoes not work / gustyno reports

Direction the wind blows from. Based on riders' experience, not a forecast.

Pparking

From riders

What you need to know

Who it suits
Intermediate on bow kites, advanced on C-kites (due to gusts).
Size of the area
Plenty of launching space on a grassy area next to a small beach.
Watch out N, NE
Very gusty in N and NE, dangerous in NE.

Watch out for

  • Can get crowded (very popular with windsurfers) with very gusty wind.community map

Where to launch

  • Launch across the water at Onehunga Bay in Whitireia Park - plenty of space on a grassy area next to a small beach.community map

Parking

  • Car park “Onehunga Bay” at the spot, free.OpenStreetMap

Getting there

  • About a 20-minute drive north of Wellington off-peak near Highway 1; access the Onehunga Bay launch via Porirua and Titahi Bay.community map

Rules and respect

  • Whiterea Park closes before sunset.community map

Conditions

  • Waves on the outer sandbar (tide-dependent, requires a big swell at high tide), flat water on the inside. Best waves on N wind, the opposite on W.community map
  • Generally windier than the rest of the Kapiti Coast, but lighter wind than in Wellington.community map
In riders' own words
  • „Wind direction Works in W - N, NW, really gusty in N and NE - NE dangerous“
  • „Waves out the back, flat water on the inside, just fantastic in the NW“
  • „Level Intermediate on bow (Advanced if you are flying a C kite) - rating due to gusts“
  • „Plenty of room to launch from a grassy area next to the small beach.“
  • „we actually lauch across the water from Plimmerton at place called "Onehunga Bay" in Whiterea park.“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/17329417“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/821784079“
  • „To get there you have to go through Porirua and Titahi Bay, check the map .“
  • „It is very popular with windsurfers and can get crowded.“
  • „Note: Whiterea park closes before sundown.“
  • „This spot is generally windier than the rest of the Kapiti Coast but lighter than Wellington.“

Photos from the area

Porirua Harbour Entrance, Onehunga Bay - panoramio
Porirua Harbour Entrance, Onehunga Bay - panoramio · 332 m from the spot
DB Thats-Me, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Entrance to Plimmerton Harbour as seen from Titahi Bay - panoramio
Entrance to Plimmerton Harbour as seen from Titahi Bay - panoramio · 840 m from the spot
DB Thats-Me, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Wind by month

When it blows

Average wind speed 10 m above ground from NASA POWER (MERRA-2, 2001–2025). The model works on a grid of roughly 50 km; on hills and by the water the wind is often stronger and gustier.

windiest monthsaverage wind in knots, NASA POWER; below the month in m/s

Values by month
January12.9 knots · 6.6 m/s
February12.2 knots · 6.3 m/s
March11.8 knots · 6.1 m/s
April11.5 knots · 5.9 m/s
May12.3 knots · 6.3 m/s
June12.5 knots · 6.4 m/s
July12.6 knots · 6.5 m/s
August12.2 knots · 6.3 m/s
September13.8 knots · 7.1 m/s
October13.7 knots · 7.0 m/s
November13.6 knots · 7.0 m/s
December12.8 knots · 6.6 m/s

Nearby

More spots within 60 km

Been there?

Add what you know

Parking changed, a new ban, a new obstacle in the water? Tell us, we will check it and update the page.

Sources: Community map “Kitesurfing spots in NZ” (Google My Maps). Wind NASA POWER, airports OurAirports, photos Wikimedia Commons (author and licence with each photo). As of 17 October 2026. These are riders' reports; local rules change, so look around before you ride and follow local signs.

A week on the water

Kite safari in the Red Sea

8 days on a yacht from Hurghada to the islands of the northern Red Sea. Next departure 7-14 November 2026, the 2027 dates are coming soon.

See the safari

The safari is organised by Mohamed of Paradise Kitesurf Red Sea. I've known him for years and we work together.