A major portion of the Wainui-Makorori headland is also reserve along with other smaller areas of land providing beach access along the residential areas of Wairere Road and Pare Street .

These reserves fringe the foreshore of Wainui Beach and provide critical foreshore protection. The dune system protects the coastline and developments against erosion. Wainui Beach is known for its natural beauty, stunning vistas, nationally renowned surfing conditions and easy accessibility.

Included in this reserve is the Whales Grave which remembers the 1970 stranding and subsequent burial of 59 sperm whales.

The reserve provides carparking, picnic spots, view points, walking tracks, and access for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, horseriding 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.

The only patrolled area of the beach is located near the Wainui Surf Lifesaving Club which is busy during the summer with surfing, picnicking, sunbathing, swimmers and surf Lifesaving associated activities. Families also use the two children’s playgrounds located north of the Stream.

Rding horses along the beach at low tide is a regular feature and horse access to the beach is recommended at the southern side of Wainui Stream, the Chalet and the Northern carpark.