Last updated November 2026
Pegasus Beach is the stretch of Pegasus Bay sand that lies east of the town of Pegasus, about 25 kilometres north of central Christchurch. You reach it through the pine forest and dunes of Tūhaitara Coastal Park, and the beach itself is long, open and backed by dunes rather than houses.
Waimakariri District Council lists it as one of its three recommended swimming beaches, and Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifeguards patrol it over the peak of summer. Environment Canterbury tests the water every week from November to March, and the site holds an Excellent long-term grade on LAWA.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Mar by Environment Canterbury. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Pegasus Beach
Saturday 7 NovemberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine enterococci results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (27 per 100 mL from 77 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Pegasus Bay coast, east of Pegasus town, Waimakariri District
- Distance from Christchurch
- About 25 km north of the city centre
- Water
- Open sea beach on Pegasus Bay, tidal (nearest tide station: New Brighton Pier)
- Water quality
- Excellent (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Weekly from November to March by Environment Canterbury
- Patrols
- Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifeguards over the peak summer period; check Surf Life Saving New Zealand for this season’s dates
- Dogs
- Allowed under continuous, effective control; not within the patrol flags or within 50 m of them
- Facilities nearby
- None mapped at the beach itself; cafés and shops in Pegasus town
About Pegasus Beach
Pegasus Beach is part of the long, gently curving shoreline of Northern Pegasus Bay, which runs north from the Waimakariri River mouth past Kairaki, The Pines Beach, Woodend Beach and Pegasus to Waikuku Beach and the Ashley-Rakahuri estuary.
Between the beach and the town lies a broad belt of dunes, wetland and plantation pine that keeps this part of the coast free of houses.
That belt is Tūhaitara Coastal Park, about 700 hectares of land stretching 10.5 kilometres along the coast from the Waimakariri River mouth to Waikuku Beach.
The park was established as an outcome of the settlement between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Crown, and the land was gifted to the people of New Zealand. It is managed by Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust, whose six trustees are appointed in equal numbers by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Waimakariri District Council.
The trust explains that the name acknowledges whakapapa: Tūhaitara was an ancestress of Ngāi Tūahuriri. Inland from the beach, Tūtaepatu Lagoon was an important source of mahinga kai, particularly tuna (eel), and the area around it holds the urupā of Tū Rakautahi, founder of Kaiapoi Pā.
The town of Pegasus sits just inland, built around Lake Pegasus and the Te Kōhanga Wetlands. Visit Waimakariri suggests a stroll or ride around the lake before heading out to the beach, and the town centre has places for coffee or a meal.
Environment Canterbury notes that the Tutaepatu Trail links Waikuku and Woodend Beaches through the park, with the Pegasus Trail continuing south to Kairaki, so the beach is easy to combine with a walk or bike ride.
Swimming and Water Quality at Pegasus Beach
Waimakariri District Council says Surf Life Saving crews patrol Waikuku and also cover Woodend Beach and Pegasus Beach during the peak summer season, and it advises the public to swim at these locations.
The council funds Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifeguards there over the busiest weeks of summer. Outside those weeks there are no lifeguards, so check the Surf Life Saving New Zealand website for current patrol times and swim between the red and yellow flags when they are up.
Environment Canterbury samples the water off Pegasus Beach every week from November to March and publishes the results on LAWA. The site has an Excellent LAWA long-term grade, based on 77 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Every one of the 92 tests taken between November 2019 and March 2025 was suitable for swimming. An Excellent grade means the water has rarely been found unsuitable, but it is a long-term record, not a promise for any given day.
Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain, when runoff can carry bacteria into the sea. Environment Canterbury gives the same 48-hour advice for all its monitored sites.
This is an open-coast beach, and people swim and surf all along Pegasus Bay. Rips and changing surf can catch out swimmers, so stay within your depth, never swim alone and keep children within reach.
Vehicles are allowed on the hard sand below the last high-tide mark under the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw, at no more than 30 km/h and 10 km/h within 50 metres of people, and they must not drive through a flagged patrol area, so keep an eye out on the sand.
Getting There and Beach Rules
Pegasus is about 25 kilometres north of central Christchurch, just off State Highway 1 beside Woodend. From the town, a road runs east through Tūhaitara Coastal Park to the beach, and the Waimakariri District Council swimming areas map marks the swimming area where it meets the sand. Metro bus 951 runs between Kaiapoi and Pegasus.
There are no facilities mapped at the beach itself, so bring water, sunscreen and shade. Fires and fireworks are banned throughout the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw area, and camping is not allowed on the beaches or in the dunes.
Dogs are welcome on the beach under continuous and effective control, but they cannot stay within the patrol flags or within 50 metres of them, and the trust asks for dogs to be on a lead in the park itself.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Environment Canterbury: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and long-term water quality grade for Pegasus Beach.
Waimakariri District Council: beach rules for Northern Pegasus Bay, including swimming areas, dogs, vehicles and the bylaw maps.
Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust: the history, values and recreation rules of Tūhaitara Coastal Park, which lies between Pegasus and the sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Pegasus Beach?
Yes. Waimakariri District Council lists Pegasus Beach as one of its recommended swimming beaches, and lifeguards patrol it over the peak of summer. Check LAWA before you go and stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like at Pegasus Beach?
Pegasus Beach has an Excellent LAWA long-term grade, based on 77 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25. All 92 tests taken between November 2019 and March 2025 were suitable for swimming.
Is Pegasus Beach patrolled by lifeguards?
Yes, over the busiest part of summer, by Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifeguards. Check the Surf Life Saving New Zealand website for this season’s dates.
When is the water at Pegasus Beach tested?
Environment Canterbury samples the site weekly from November to March, and the results are published on LAWA.
Can I take my dog to Pegasus Beach?
Yes, under continuous and effective control. Dogs cannot stay within the surf patrol flags or within 50 metres of them, though they can pass through on a short leash.
Can you drive on Pegasus Beach?
Vehicles may use the hard sand below the last high-tide mark, but recreational driving is not allowed, the speed limit is 30 km/h and drivers must slow to 10 km/h near people. Two-wheel motorbikes are banned from the beaches and dunes.
How far is Pegasus Beach from Christchurch?
Pegasus is about 25 kilometres north of central Christchurch, beside Woodend and just off State Highway 1.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 2
- Today at Pegasus Beach: Tides: LINZ, CC BY 4.0; predictions only. Sea temperature: NASA JPL MUR satellite data for 3 Nov, via Tideteller.
- Water quality track record: Water quality: © LAWA and partner organisations (Environment Canterbury), licensed under CC BY 4.0, results to April 2025.