Petone Beach

Petone Beach is a sheltered beach break located on the Wellington Harbour shoreline in the lower North Island of New Zealand. The beach faces northeast into the harbor, providing protection from ocean swells while remaining accessible to wind. This is an urban beach spot with infrastructure including a pier visible in the northern section. The water conditions are typically choppy rather than well-formed, with modest average wave heights around 1.1m. Wind reliability is moderate at 35.4%, with average conditions around 10.4 knots. Side-shore winds from the northwest (315°) are ideal for kitesurfing at this location. The spot suits beginners and intermediate kiters due to shallow water near shore and relatively calm conditions. However, kiters should be aware of the pier structure, potential boat traffic in the harbor, and the need to wait for adequate wind windows. The urban setting means crowds and proximity to populated areas. Best conditions occur during stronger wind events when the low baseline wind speeds can be overcome.