The Napier Ocean Swim is your chance to experience the beauty of Hawke’s Bay from a fresh perspective, out on the water, looking back at the elegant Art Deco coastline, rolling hills, and the sun-drenched curve of Marine Parade. It’s open water swimming with a postcard backdrop.

Held in the sheltered waters of Port Napier, this event has a relaxed, easygoing energy and a tight-knit community feel. Local surf lifesavers, volunteers, and fellow swimmers bring the good vibes, while the calm bay conditions make it ideal for everyone, from first-timers dipping their toes into ocean swimming to seasoned swimmers looking for a fast, scenic hit-out.

Distances cater to all levels, and the compact, well-organised event site makes everything easy to navigate. It’s the kind of swim where you’ll see familiar faces, feel welcomed immediately, and finish with a big smile, and probably a coffee from one of Napier’s nearby cafés.

Whether you’re chasing a quick time, building your open water confidence, or just keen to soak up the coastal charm, you’ll find yourself swept along by the vibe as much as the tide. Add in sunshine, salty air, and that unmistakable Hawke’s Bay hospitality, and you’ve got a swim that ticks all the boxes.

Beginner-friendly, low-pressure, and set in one of New Zealand’s most picturesque coastal towns, what’s not to love?