Gisborne is blessed with a fantastic, sunny climate, year round. It is famed for its gorgeous, golden beaches and turquoise sea. While you can swim at any spot along the Poverty Bay coastline, if you’re with children we would recommend you stick to the popular main beaches as there’s a consistent swell, and surf lifesavers are on duty during the summer, at key swimming spots. Try Waikanae Beach, with toilets and café nearby. These spots are just ideal to learn to surf, or just to play on a boogie board, as the swell tends to be clean and not too large.
Whereever you're staying in Napier, you'll find yourself visiting Marine Parade. As well as a host of activities right on the waterfront (eg Aquarium, Mini Golf, Ocean Spa, Sk8 Park) there's a walkway that's completely flat, following the beach. Ideal for walking or biking, you can stroll for several kilometers south to the outskirts of town, or north towards Perfume Point, and Napier's best swimming beaches.
The Blue Lake Reserve is an ideal place for a picnic and is very popular for water sports such as water-skiing, jet-skiing and power boat racing so there should be plenty to watch! The south side of the lake has good swimming beaches and there are toilets, a playground, BBQs, picnic tables and a boat ramp. A walk around the lake will take about one and a half hours. Please note dogs are not allowed in the playground and are only allowed around the walkway on a lead.
