Pūrākaunui Beach is a coastal beach located at the mouth of the Pūrākaunui Inlet near Dunedin. Access for paddlers is via a gravel parking area on the opposite side of the inlet from the settlement of Pūrākaunui. The beach is white sand. A significant factor for trip planning is the tide, as certain coastal features, such as caves accessible from the beach, can only be reached during low tide. The beach is also connected to other local areas by walking tracks; one route involves walking northeast at low tide to a place called Canoe Beach, where a staircase leads over a headland to a forest-enclosed section of the shore. The overall area offers a mix of open beach and more sheltered, forest-backed coastline. Paddlers should be aware of the railway infrastructure in the region, including the Mihiwaka Tunnel, one of the longest railway tunnels in New Zealand, which is located nearby. The beach's proximity to Dunedin makes it a convenient destination for a day trip, with the tidal state being a primary consideration for timing a visit to safely navigate the coastline and access certain points of interest.