OUR COMMUNITY
A fun beach for the whole family and all ocean activities, Kai Iwi Beach is reached via Rapanui Road 14kms west of Whanganui. Patrolled during the summer you can swim, fish, laze in the sun or go for long walks. A small village of residential and holiday homes see the size of the community swell in the summer months. It is also a popular spot for photographers wishing to capture stunning images of cliffs against the sea, eerie driftwood shapes and vibrant sunsets over the Tasman Sea.
A great place for a family get-away, Kai Iwi Beach has a fantastic children’s playground, complete with a flying fox over a stream, pirate climbing ship, and more… There is a large toilet block with changing rooms, cold water showers, and wood burning BBQ’s as well. Kai Iwi Beach has it all, and has been a favourite with locals and tourists for generations! There is also a well-established motor camp located in the Mowhanau village. Book early for your summer holiday, spend a weekend or a day!
The Kai Iwi and Mowhanau Streams are at each end of the beach and can create good waves for surfers off the stream mouths.
Walkers can enjoy a 2 to 3 hour walk at low tide from Kai Iwi Beach to Castlecliff – an easy 12km black sand beautiful beach walk. Going in the other direction a similar 2 hour walk will take you to the Okehu Stream. Visitors have used the description “a part of the world that has been kept secret”. Make sure you check the tide tables here http://metservice.com/marine-surf/tides/whanganui before attempting these walks to ensure you have sufficient time.
In 1865 Alexander’s redoubt was built here and is historically significant in that a number of British Troops passed through this redoubt while in transit to the Taranaki area.
