Waikawau Beach is a significant coastal access point on the North Island's west coast, providing one of the few publicly accessible sections of shoreline between Marokopa and Awakino, a road distance of nearly 60 kilometres. The beach is accessed via Waikawau Beach Road, leading to a designated car park. From this car park, there is a direct access point to the beach itself. The beach is huge, with a surf beach character where waves can be big, indicating a shore break that paddlers must navigate. The area is notably windy, which can create challenging conditions on the water. A tunnel, part of the Waikawau Beach/Tunnel Recreation Reserve, is a feature near the beach. For paddlers seeking calmer water, Little Bay is located over a hill from the main beach and offers more sheltered conditions. The beach is situated within a recreation reserve, and facilities include a car park, public toilets, and a campground with cold showers. The surrounding area offers bush walks and a track leading to a stream water hole for swimming. The aesthetic is of a vast, open beach backed by natural bushland.