Horses on the beach

Horses can go on all Kāpiti beaches, but there are some rules on urban beach areas during summer.

When riding on the beach, remember to:

• respect the environment and other beach users
• understand that others, especially tamariki, may not know how to act around horses
• clean up after your horse where you can; take waste home if safe (like from car parks)
• don’t let your horse eat beach plants
• be aware of the other beach activities and their zones.

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Where you can ride

When riding your horse on the beach, please do so safely and carefully. You should only ride below the high-tide mark or on marked beach accessways.

Keep your horse away from:

• the dunes, as they are delicate and home to breeding birds and plants that help prevent erosion
• flagged surf lifesaving areas
• the estuary and foreshore areas of Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve, where riding is not allowed at any time (this is a rule from the Department of Conservation).

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Summer horse restrictions on the beach

During summer, horse owners can't lead or ride their horses on the beach or foreshore in these areas:

• from 15 December to 15 February
• between 10am and 5pm

Restricted areas are:

• southern boundary of Kāpiti Coast District to mouth of Wainui Stream, north of Paekākāriki
• official beach access at Jeep Road, Raumati South to Kāpiti Boating Club
• Waikanae Boating Club to Waimeha Stream mouth, Waikanae Beach
• beach access opposite 100 Marine Parade to beach access opposite 8 Marine Parade, Ōtaki Beach.

Maps showing these areas can be found on page 16 of our Beach Bylaw.

At all other times and places, you can ride or lead a horse on the foreshore.

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Watch out for...

Check out Looking after our beaches to learn how you and your horse can help protect the Kāpiti Coast's important plants and animals.

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