How to get to Lyall Bay Beach and is it safe for swimming today - Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA)
Location: South coast, Lyall Bay, Lyall Bay Parade
Suitable for: Walking, picnics, dog walking, swimming, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking
Brief description: Lyall Bay is Wellington’s most popular surf beach. It is home to two surf lifesaving clubs, and many of the activities here are surf-related. Lyall Bay also has a playground.
Parking: Beachfront parking along Lyall Bay Parade
Toilets and changing facilities: At Lyall Bay Surf Club; changing rooms closed 1 June - 31 August
Accessibility: Lyall Bay has a small access ramp at the airport end of the beach
Dogs: The airport half of the beach (eastern end) is Wellington’s most popular off-leash dog exercise area. Dogs are not allowed in the western end of the beach at any time.
Dog Exercise Map - Lyall Bay Beach (67KB PDF)
Features: The remnants of once extensive sand dunes are being restored with plantings of pingao and spinifex. It is a short walk from the beach to Dorrie Leslie Park on the western side of the bay, and beyond the airport at Moa Point a coastal walkway leads to Tarakena Bay and the Eastern Walkway. There's a popular cafe upstairs in the Maranui Surf Life Saving Club building.
Friends groups: Lyall Bay Dune Protection group