Last updated October 2026
The Pines Beach is a quiet, unpatrolled stretch of Pegasus Bay just north of the Waimakariri River mouth, about 18 kilometres north of central Christchurch. It is reached from coastal car parks at the southern end of the Waimakariri District, with dunes, wetland and pine forest behind the sand.
Environment Canterbury tests the water every week from November to March, and the site holds a Fair long-term grade on LAWA: the water is usually fine, but it is more often affected after rain than the beaches further north. There are no lifeguards here, so Waimakariri District Council advises swimmers to use the patrolled beaches at Woodend, Pegasus and Waikuku.
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 The Pines Beach
Sunday 25 OctoberWater 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 (364 per 100 mL from 76 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- The Pines Beach, southern Waimakariri coast, about 1 km north of the Waimakariri River mouth
- Distance from Christchurch
- About 18 km north of the city centre
- Water
- Open sea beach on Pegasus Bay, tidal (nearest tide station: New Brighton Pier)
- Water quality
- Fair (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25): avoid swimming after rain
- Testing
- Weekly from November to March by Environment Canterbury
- Patrols
- None: this beach is not patrolled by lifeguards
- Dogs
- Allowed under continuous, effective control under the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw
- Facilities nearby
- Coastal car park and picnic area; no other facilities mapped at the beach
About The Pines Beach
The Pines Beach lies at the southern end of the long, straight shoreline of Northern Pegasus Bay, between Kairaki at the Waimakariri River mouth and Woodend Beach to the north. Waimakariri District Council notes that Kairaki and The Pines Beach are reached via coastal car parks, and the sand runs unbroken north for more than 10 kilometres to Waikuku Beach.
Behind the beach is the southern end of Tūhaitara Coastal Park, about 700 hectares of dunes, wetland and pine forest managed by Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust, a body with trustees appointed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Waimakariri District Council.
The park was an outcome of the settlement between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Crown. One of the trust’s keystone projects is rehabilitating The Pines Beach Wetland, a 36-hectare reedland among the dunes that was once a lagoon open to the sea.
The small settlement behind the dunes was hit hard by the Canterbury earthquakes, and much of its red-zoned land was transferred from the Crown to Waimakariri District Council in 2018. The result is a beach with few houses close by and plenty of open space.
LAWA lists swimming, kayaking, fishing, walking and dog walking among the activities at The Pines Beach. The nearby river mouth and lower Waimakariri are popular for whitebaiting, horse riders use the back-dune trails that run north to Waikuku, and the Pegasus Trail runs through the coastal park towards Kairaki.
Swimming and Water Quality at The Pines Beach
Environment Canterbury samples the water at The Pines Beach every week from November to March and publishes the results on LAWA. The site has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on 76 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Of 103 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 91% were suitable for swimming. In the 2024/25 summer, 3 of 24 tests were unsuitable and 1 needed caution. A Fair grade means the water is usually fine, but it can be unsuitable after rain.
In December 2024, Health New Zealand issued a health warning after high levels of faecal bacteria were found in samples from Pines Beach, most likely caused by recent rainfall. The warning was later lifted, once results were back below guideline values. There is no standing warning, but this shows how quickly conditions can change here.
Check LAWA for the latest result and any health warnings before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. LAWA’s own advice for this site is to avoid swimming for two to three days after heavy or prolonged rain.
The beach is not patrolled. LAWA warns that rips, strong currents, sudden drop-offs and underwater objects may be present, and advises never swimming or surfing alone. Environment Canterbury warns people not to swim at Kairaki Beach close to the Waimakariri River mouth, just to the south, so stay well away from the river mouth.
Waimakariri District Council advises swimmers to use the patrolled beaches at Waikuku, Woodend and Pegasus. Vehicles may also be on the sand: the stretch from the Waimakariri River mouth to the Pines Ocean Outfall is open to vehicles for purposes such as boat launching, fishing and whitebaiting, at up to 30 km/h and 10 km/h near people.
Getting There and Beach Rules
The Pines Beach is about 18 kilometres north of central Christchurch, roughly 4 kilometres east of Kaiapoi. Coastal car parks give access to the sand, and LAWA lists a picnic area and parking. There are no toilets or other facilities mapped at the beach, so bring what you need.
Dogs are welcome on the Northern Pegasus Bay beaches under continuous and effective control, and owners must pick up after them. Fires and fireworks are banned throughout the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw area, camping is not allowed on the beach or in the dunes, and two-wheel motorbikes are banned from the beaches and dunes.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Environment Canterbury: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result, health warnings and long-term grade for Pines Beach.
Waimakariri District Council: beach access, patrolled swimming areas, and dog and vehicle rules for the Northern Pegasus Bay coast.
Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust: the coastal park behind the beach, including The Pines Beach Wetland restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at The Pines Beach?
People do swim here, but the beach is not patrolled and it has a Fair water quality grade. Check LAWA first, stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain, keep away from the Waimakariri River mouth, and consider the patrolled beaches at Woodend, Pegasus or Waikuku instead.
What is the water quality like at The Pines Beach?
The Pines Beach has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on 76 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 103 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 91% were suitable for swimming. Water quality is usually fine but can be unsuitable after rain.
Has there been a health warning at The Pines Beach?
Yes. Health New Zealand issued a warning in December 2024 after high faecal bacteria levels, most likely from rainfall. It was later lifted when results returned below guideline values. Check LAWA for any current warnings.
Is The Pines Beach patrolled by lifeguards?
No. The nearest patrolled beaches in summer are Woodend Beach and Pegasus Beach to the north, with Waikuku Beach further on.
Can you swim near the Waimakariri River mouth?
No. Environment Canterbury warns people not to swim at Kairaki Beach close to the Waimakariri River mouth, just south of The Pines Beach.
Can I take my dog to The Pines Beach?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on the Northern Pegasus Bay beaches under continuous and effective control, and owners must pick up after them.
How far is The Pines Beach from Christchurch?
The Pines Beach is about 18 kilometres north of central Christchurch and about 4 kilometres east of Kaiapoi.
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