The drive down to Ocean Beach via the access road is iconic to Hawke's Bay, providing stunning views to the north and south including Motu-o-Kura (Bare Island).
On any given day during summer, you will see surfers, longliners, swimmers and people diving for a variety of kaimoana just off the beach. Ocean Beach has summer holiday lifesavers on duty. Ocean Beach is also a hugely popular dog-walking beach.
Take care and drive slowly when arriving and leaving via the access road, which is mostly only wide enough for one car - albeit there are multiple opportunities to pass.
There are public toilets, but no shops at Ocean Beach.
There are two walks to take along Ocean Beach - just depends which direction you take:
- South: Head south along the beach to Waimārama (7.5km one way). Make sure you check tide times before you go, tell someone where you are walking and allow 4 1/2 hours return.
- North: Head up the beach to Whakapau Bluff (8 km one way; allow 4.5hours return)
Whakapau Bluff prevents easy access to the stretch of coast north to Cape Kidnappers, although locals know a reef/sandbar just off shore that can be waded at low tide. Between the Bluff and the Cape, is the site of William Morris' 1838 Rangaiika whaling station, the boiler from the wreck of the Go Ahead (1887), and two rock arches.