Kitesurfing in Petone, Lower Hutt, New Zealand, North Island

World • Oceania •

New Zealand • North Island

Water type

sea

Beach type

—

Crowd

—

Rider level

all

Tide dependent

—

Waves

—

Overview

Petone is the most inland sailing spot within the Wellington harbour. It’s generally uncrowded and boasts a lot more launching area making it the best place in Wellington for the Novice who does not want to drive up to the Kapiti coast.
Best in South, in summer Petone can get a thermal and blow 5 knots stronger than Lyall

Setting up and Launch
The launch site can be found at Hikoikoi Reserve. To get there follow the Esplanade east along the seafront until the road turns away from the beach just past the Mobil garage. Take the next right (Kircaldy St), next left (Marin Parade) and next right which takes you along a short road to the beach. There’s plenty of beach here for launching. Also, sports fields are directly behind the beach and act as a safety net if things go wrong. Just watch out for the gorse and bushes between the beach and the fields. (The sports fields also make a great area for practicing kite flying skills)

On the Water
The wind again will be onshore to some degree. For the novice, the best time to launch is between mid and low tide where you can walk out to sea for about 40 meters. There is a good 300 m stretch of beach that does not run alongside the main road. Please stick to this are if you’re a novice. In a straight southerly Petone seems to have the most consistent wind in Wellington. The shallow sloping beach also causes small waves to break on the windier days giving good port track ramps. Please do not sail anywhere in front of the main road to the west of the launch area, the busy road runs right behind the small beach and there is no safe area for landing kites

By Kiteboarding spots NZ

Wind

Wind Direction SE through to SSW (SW). Best in S, gusty in SE.

It is your responsability to check whether kitesurfing is allowed at the spot; you might need a 'special permit' or membership from a local kite organization, etc. Local rules can change. Respect others - kiters or not; kite safely and enjoy the wind!