Taking Your Dog to Muriwai Beach
A dramatic black-sand west-coast beach with a huge off-leash dog exercise area, as long as you stay well away from the gannet colony.
Off-leash rules
Large off-leash dog exercise area from 450m north of Motutara Road and roughly 10km northwards. Dogs are prohibited at Maori Bay and Otakamiro Point (the gannet colony).
When: Off-leash in the dog exercise area, from 450m north of Motutara Road and about 10km north.
- • Dogs are PROHIBITED at Maori Bay and Otakamiro Point, it is a nesting area and wildlife refuge for the takapu (gannets).
- • Stay north of the 450m mark from Motutara Road for the off-leash area.
- • West-coast surf is powerful, watch the water with water-loving dogs.
Facilities
Muriwai is wild and dramatic, black sand, big surf and a famous gannet colony on the headland. The good news for dog owners is the long off-leash exercise area that runs from 450m north of Motutara Road and stretches around 10km up the coast.
The hard rule is the gannets. Dogs are flat-out banned at Maori Bay and Otakamiro Point to protect the colony, so always head north onto the main beach and keep well clear of the headland.
Make the most of it
Muriwai is a big, raw environment, wind, surf and a long open beach. It suits a confident dog with a solid recall. The powerful water means a reliable 'come' and a good 'wait' at the water's edge are genuinely about safety here, not just manners.
Local tips
- Head north from the main carpark for the off-leash area. The headland end is the no-go gannet zone.
- The surf is serious. Only let water-confident dogs near it, and keep them close.
- It is exposed and windy with no shade, so pick your day and bring water.
Common questions
Can dogs go off-leash at Muriwai Beach?
Yes, in the dog exercise area that runs from 450m north of Motutara Road and about 10km northwards. Dogs are prohibited at Maori Bay and Otakamiro Point because of the gannet colony.
Where are dogs banned at Muriwai?
Dogs are prohibited at Maori Bay and Otakamiro Point, which is a nesting area and wildlife refuge for the takapu (gannets). Keep north of there on the main beach.
Nearby spots
Want a dog you can trust off-leash?
A reliable recall is the difference between a relaxed beach trip and a stressful one. That is exactly what we build.
Book training