CAN i swim here?

Lake Wairarapa is shallow and contains a lot of sediment making it look muddy, so swimming here doesn’t appeal to most of us. However, the water is usually safe to swim in. If it has been raining heavily, wait at least two days before going for a swim as pollution from the towns and rural land may have flushed into the water.

Fortunately, there is a lot of great work underway to try to improve the quality of the water.

Don’t swim in Lake Ōnoke when the mouth is open to the sea because the strong tidal flows make it very dangerous.

Kayaking and Windsurfing

Lake Ōnoke is a popular spot for windsurfing. If you’re into kayaking, the best launch spots are at Lake Domain Reserve, Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve, Ōnoke Spit and also at Lake Ōnoke.

Camping

You can camp for free at Lake Domain Reserve and the Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve. There are toilet facilities but you’ll need your own supply of drinking water.

You can also camp for a small fee at the Lake Ferry Holiday Park or Gateway Motel Holiday Park.

Fishing

Brown trout in Lake Wairarapa are best found in river deltas where fly fishing and spinning can be effective. A fishing licence is required for trout, perch and tench. Licences can be purchased at some outdoor sports stores or online at Fish & Game New Zealand.

Surfcasting in Palliser Bay is popular along the shore from the Lake Ferry settlement and also at Ocean Beach, which you can get to from the Western Lake Road.

You may see some people whitebaiting in the area, but we recommend thinking twice before putting your own net out. Whitebait aren’t doing so well, with four out of the five whitebait species considered “at risk” because their numbers are declining.