Top 10 beaches to visit around New Zealand this summer
New Zealand is home to a huge array of stunning beaches making this list extremely hard to put together. There are without a doubt, hidden gems up and down the country but this list includes the most popular, famous New Zealand beaches that are a must do this summer!
North Island
- Ninety Mile Beach, Kaitaia
Though it isn’t technically 90miles long, it is 88 kilometres. A strikingly beautiful black sand beach near the top of the North Island. This one will leave you speechless in awe of its size.
2. Auckland’s West Coast Beaches
We’re going to cheat here so we can include more beaches. 10 simply isn’t enough! These are all roughly 45 minutes drive from Central Auckland and give you a feeling of remoteness and full nature immersion despite being so close to the city!
All are beautiful black sand beaches that are perfect for watching the sunset from.
- Bethells Beach
With huge sand dunes, a beautiful lake, great surf and sand that stretches in all directions you won’t be stuck for things to do. - Piha Beach
Climb up Lion Rock, visit the cafe or take a long stroll down the beach. Unfortunately the 3 tiered 40 meter waterfall is unable to be accessed currently as the track has been closed to prevent Kauri dieback. - Muriwai Beach
The Gannet colony that nests here is a main attraction for visitors, especially considering how close you can get. But don’t forget about the great expanse of beach or epic surf. - Karekare Beach
In 2017 this was voted by Passport Magazine as one of the top 25 beaches in the world! An incredible achievement for a worthy beach. There is also a waterfall, just a short 2 minute walk from the road.
3. Cathedral Cove, Hahei
The stunning 45 minute walk from the carpark down to this spot is worth every second. You may recognise this location from a certain Narnia film too.
Be sure to arrive early otherwise you will miss a spot in the carpark, otherwise there is a secondary walking track from Hahei.
4. Mount Maunganui Beach, Bay of Plenty
Cafes, ice cream parlours and other treats are a mere 20 second walk away from this lovely white sand beach. It has the Mount itself as a centrepiece to this great scene providing a lovely circular walk or a 45minute ascent for incredible views across the whole of the wider Tauranga area.
5. Hot Water Beach, Hahei
This one is not necessarily the most scenic on the list but due to it’s worldwide uniqueness and novelty it just had to be included.
With two underground fissures, 2 hours either side low tide, you can dig a hole in the sand and soak in thermal water that is up to 64 degrees Celsius (147 Fahrenheit) hot!
It’s a short drive from Hahei, so you can visit this one in the same day as Cathedral Cove.
South Island
6. Koekohe Beach, Waitaki
Here you’ll find the Moeraki boulders scattered along the beach. These are a number of unusually large, spherical boulders almost identical to each other, that have an unnaturally smooth surface formed by years of erosion.
7. Whararkiki Beach, Nelson
Located at one of the highest points on the South Island facing West it’s a great place to watch the sun set for the day. There is also the beautiful “arch way islands” to give the beach a dramatic feeling.
8. Abel Tasman National Park Beaches
We’re going to cheat here again and count this as 1 on the list. The Abel Tasman National Park is full of stunning beaches that have amazingly clear water. And with the Native forest of the National Park as their back drop it’s an amazing sight to see. You can take a multiple day hike through the National Park or easy day walks to see the beauty it offers.
- Torrent Bay
- Bark Bay
- Anchorage Beach
9. Tunnel Beach, Dunedin
Not typically known as a beach for relaxing and sunbathing, this one is fantastic for it’s rugged coastline cliffs and the iconic tunnel formed into the rock. You can go down to the sea and watch it crash into the rocks or stand on top of the tunnel and take in the wonder of the landscape.
10. Punakaiki Beach
This beach has it all. It is only 1km from the famous Pancake rocks and blow holes there is also access to short bush walks, canoeing, longer tramps and fishing.
Wherever you go in New Zealand, there is bound to be a beach close by. We’re an island after all! These are some of the best spots but it is definitely not an exclusive list as there is so many deserving beaches that didn’t make it onto here. Explore for yourself and you might find something greater.
