The twin beaches of Wainui and Makorori stretch for six kilometres along the Pacific Coast Highway, State Highway 35, on the eastern seaboard of New Zealand's North Island at the bottom of what is known geographically as the East Cape.  The south end of Wainui Beach is six kilometres from the centre of Gisborne city and the settlement at the north end of  Makorori Beach is 12km from the city. There are approximately 650 homes and a population of around 900 in the two settlements.

The two beaches form a continuous coastal system shaped by Pacific swells, longshore sediment movement and prominent headlands that influence erosion and sand deposition patterns.

The northern curve of Wainui Beach is known as Okitu, while the southern curve up to the Okitu Bridge over the Hamanatua Stream is referred to as Wainui.

The stream empties into Wainui Beach after forming a lagoon. This is the location of the Wainui Bech Surf Life Saving Club where the beach is patrolled during the summer months.

Much of the coastal land of the seaward side of Highway 35 from Okitu to Makorori comprises a variety of reserves and undeveloped foreshore land accessible to the public and administered by the Gisborne District Council. Sand dune reserves fringe the foreshore of both beaches and provide critical foreshore protection against erosion. These dunes support native plant species that play a critical role in sand stabilisation, including pingao, spinifex, and other salt-tolerant vegetation. Protection and restoration of these areas are important for maintaining the integrity of the coastline.

The largest tract of public land, the W.D. Lysnar Reserve, runs the length of the seaward side of Moana Road from the Hamanatua Stream to the Wainui-Makorori headland, a distance of about 1.5 kilometres.  A major portion of the Wainui-Makorori headland is also reserve along with other smaller areas of land providing beach access along the beachfront residential areas of Wairere Road, Pare Street  and Murphy Road.

The Lysnar Reserve provides car parking, picnic spots, view points, walking tracks, and access for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, horse riding and jogging. Informal tracks zigzag the dunes. Some of the tracks lead from the road or carparks, down to the beach. There is also an informal track running parallel to the beach, along the length of the dunes. At the north end of  the Lysnar Reserve contains the 'Whales Grave', a protected site which remembers the 1970 stranding and subsequent burial of 59 sperm whales.

Makorori Beach, immediately to the north, features a mix of sand and rocky reef areas, particularly around Makorori Headland. These reef systems support diverse marine life, including shellfish, fish, and intertidal species that are ecologically and culturally significant.

Wainui and Makorori beaches are known for their natural beauty, stunning ocean vistas, nationally renowned surfing conditions and easy accessibility. Both beaches are recognised tourism destinations in the Gisborne region. A small local population uses the beach year round, however during the summer months there is a large influx of visitors. Excellent surfing waves can be found along both beaches throughout the year.

Wainui Beach is served by local stores and basic service facilities near the main access points off SH35. Public transport options are limited, so most visitors arrive by private vehicle or cycle via local routes.  The beaches’ proximity to Gisborne positions them as practical day-trip destinations for both local residents and tourists exploring the wider Tairāwhiti-East Coast region.

Boat launch facilities are  provided over the hill from Makorori at Tatapouri Bay where there is a a two-lane concrete boat ramp that provides access to the open ocean.

Makorori Headland provides a spectacular walk over its heights with sweeping views of Wainui and Makorori beaches as well as views south to Mahia Peninsula. Car parking is provided at the Wainui base of the headland with the entrance to the walking track a 50 metre walk up the hill alongside the highway.

Between Wainui and Makorori beaches on State Highway 35, is Okitu Bush, a scenic reserve and a walking track managed by the Department of Conservation. The native bush found at Okitu Bush is of high quality and provides a good example of original coastal flora.

Tatapouri Bay Oceanside Accommodation provides range of seaside options which include sheltered campsites, glamping tents, oceanfront villas and log cabins. Communal amenities are available for guests. The complex is situated on a 3.8ha block of land right on the beachfront that includes the site of the former and famous Tatapouri Hotel which was destroyed by fire in 1996.

The coast around Makorori and Wainui has a longstanding association with local Māori communities including Ngāti Rakai and Ngāti Konohi. 

Wainui and Makorori are not just recreational beaches — they are dynamic natural environments that require active protection and thoughtful use. Their ecological, cultural, and geological values make them important parts of Gisborne’s coastal landscape, where the demands of conservation and community access strive to work together.