Lyall Bay is Wellington's surf beach, sitting directly adjacent to the airport runway — landings over the bay are dramatic, with planes appearing to skim the wave tops before touching down. The bay faces Cook Strait and receives consistent south swells that make it the most reliable surf spot in the city. Beginners are welcome, and the local surf school operates from the beach most weekends.
The beach is also good for swimming in calm conditions, and the surrounding suburb has developed a decent cafe strip along the beachfront. Surf gear hire is available. Getting there involves a bus or taxi ride of about 20 minutes from the city centre, or a 40-minute walk along the south coast track through Island Bay. The combination of accessible surf, airport proximity, and the neighbourhood cafes makes Lyall Bay an easy half-day from Wellington's centre.