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The beaches in New Zealand are incredibly picturesque and natural that everyone in the world admires them. These beaches in New Zealand have golden sands, magnificent rocks and clean water which makes them appeal to tourists to the extreme. Some beaches like Wharariki and Maunganui are characterized by beautiful waters and great waves suitable for swimming, surfing and snorkeling while others like Koekohe Beach famous for Moeraki Boulders are associated with beautiful scenery.
Top 10 Beaches In New Zealand
Beaches in New Zealand rank amongst the most beautiful places in the world. Each beach offers different scenery that attracts both the natives as well as the tourists.
1. Maitai Bay, Northland
Photo: Gadfium / Wikimedia Commons
Maitai Bay sits on the Karikari Peninsula in the northland and is one of the hidden treasures with incredible beaches and calm waters. Activities such as family outings, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and so forth are easy in this bay. The half-moon beach at this bay is surrounded by the native pohutukawa trees, which beautifies the beach. Visitors can also go on coastal walks to views and wildlife in areas in that vicinity. Tents are also available at Maitai Bay, though basic facilities are provided for the campers, it operates under the controlled management of the Department of Conservation.
Location: Karikari Peninsula, Northland
Major Attractions: White-sand beach, coastal walks, camping
How To Reach: Accessible by car from Kaitaia via State Highway 10 and Inland Road
2. Ninety Mile Beach, Northland
Photo: Gadfium / Wikimedia Commons
Ninety Mile Beach is located on the west coast of Northland and is referred to as the popular stretch of sand. This beach has the long protrusion of naturally occurring sand and breathtaking formation of sand dunes. It would also be worth noting that the beach is only 90 kilometers in length. The other activities include sandboarding along the sand dunes, beach angling, taking surfing lessons and swimming.
Location: Northland’s west coast
Major Attractions: Sand dunes, fishing, sunset views
How To Reach: Accessible by car from Kaitaia, with guided tours available
3. Tāwharanui Regional Park, Auckland
Photo: Brendon Peat / Wikimedia Commons
Tāwharanui Regional Park, located close to Auckland, is a remarkable coastal park with great beaches, abundant marine resources and a lot of greenery. It offers sandy beaches, shallow tidal pools, hilly scrublands making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and going up the hills for picturesque views. The park is also a reserved area from the public where very few people are allowed. Visitors can also spot the rare kiwi and takahe birds.
Location: Matakana Coast, Auckland
Major Attractions: Sandy beaches, wildlife sanctuary, hiking trails
How To Reach: Accessible by car from Auckland via State Highway 1 and Takatu Road
4. Piha Beach, Auckland
Photo: Kevin Jude Deloria / Wikimedia Commons
Piha beach is a well known surf beach located in the west coast of Auckland, famous for its steep and dramatic black sand, largest waves and Lion rock. It is a place preferred by surf lovers. It is a beach with a long shore that offers active beach culture. The beach is relatively beautiful because of the craggy natural cliffs and russet colored hair growing all around them, making it a great place for camera shooting. Piha also has some walking paths, for example the one to the top of lion rock which has an amazing view of the beaches and coastline.
Location: West coast, Auckland
Major Attractions: Surfing, Lion Rock, black sand
How To Reach: Accessible by car from Auckland via Piha Road
5. Cathedral Cove, The Coromandel
Photo: Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons
Cathedral Cove is an emerald, oceanic inlet in the Coromandel Peninsula, famous for its coastal rock formation with a natural arch and tranquil crystal waters. The cove can either be accessed via a picturesque walking path or a kayak and its fascinating landscape is peppered with views of limestone rocks, cliffs and islands. Visitors can perform swimming, snorkeling and explore the sea life. The enchanting beauty of the Cathedral Cove has gained fame in New Zealand and has appeared in numerous movies and travel brochures.
Location: The Coromandel Peninsula
Major Attractions: Natural rock arch, snorkeling, scenic walking track
How To Reach: Accessible by foot from Hahei or by boat/kayak
6. Maunganui Beach, Bay of Plenty
Photo: Robert Engberg / Wikimedia Commons
Maunganui Beach is an upbeat resort area which is located in Tauranga Bay. Plenty region is characterized by its golden sandy beaches, good surfing spots, and stunning background of Mount Maunganui. This particular beach has a number of watersports facilities including surfing, paddleboarding, and swimming in the water. It is also sprinkled with cafe’s, restaurants and shops thus giving one the whole experience of dining by the beach. Mount Maunganui also has a walking path around it and even goes up to the mountain where one can enjoy views of the coast.
Location: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Major Attractions: Surfing, Mount Maunganui, beachside cafes
How To Reach: Accessible by car from Tauranga and surrounding areas
7. Wharariki Beach, Nelson Tasman
Photo: Asad Photo Maldives / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Wharariki Beach is well-known for the giant rock clusters, sandy wind-blown mound, and the incubates of sea lions. The beach presents stunning views with steep stone formations, gorges, and sea pools. Activities include relaxing walks, climbing up the sandy mounds, and watching seals sunbathing on the rocks. The sheer wildness and remoteness of the beach will not only allow one to indulge in some great photography but also encourage one to seek peace and calm in the vast expanse of the beach.
Location: Near Cape Farewell, Nelson Tasman
Major Attractions: Rock formations, seal colony, sand dunes
How To Reach: Accessible by car from Takaka, followed by a short walk
8. Wainui Beach
Photo: Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons
Wainui Beach has clear water with golden sand, making it a hotspot for residents and tourists alike. This beach is well equipped in terms of swimming, surfing, and picnicking. It is surrounded with beautiful sights, which makes it a good place for relaxation. The beach has also gained popularity for its beautiful sunsets which brings in many photographers and nature lovers. The beach is ideal for engaging in different water sports activities, and its relaxed atmosphere is well received by families, surfers and backpackers. If you want a dip in the ocean or some soothing sun on your skin, Wainui Beach will come through.
Location: Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand
Major Attractions: Surfing, swimming, sunsets, scenic views
How To Reach: Accessible by road from Gisborne city center
9. Hokitika Beach, West Coast
Photo: Mike Dickison / Wikimedia Commons
Hokitika Beach is a rough and picturesque stretch of shore located on the West Coast of New Zealand. It is known for its jaw-dropping views of the sunsets. Beach lovers and photographers alike flock here to relish the coastal offerings with sights of the Tasman Sea. The beach also organizes the Driftwood & Sand Festival that showcases creative art associated with driftwood. Hokitika beach is also famous for its glow worm dell carved on the lush green hills, adding to the mystery of the place post evening. Surfing and bodyboarding is also available for those who want some thrill.
Location: Hokitika, West Coast
Major Attractions: Driftwood sculptures, sunsets, black sand beach
How To Reach: Easily accessible from Hokitika town
10. Koekohe Beach
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ / Wikimedia Commons
Traveling along the South Island of New Zealand, Koekohe beach is famous for the Moeraki Boulders, large round enigmatic stones laying on the beach. These natural rock structures are quite popular with tourists who come to see how big these stones look. Koekohe Beach is mostly calm. People walk along the water’s edge watching the waves lap the shore from a distance and absorbing the beauty of the different scenery around them. There are restaurants a bit away from the beach enabling people to have a quick meal after the tour.
Location: Waitaki, South Island
Major Attractions: Moeraki Boulders, coastal views
How To Reach: Accessible by car from Dunedin or Oamaru
New Zealand’s coastlines are perhaps amongst the most stunning in the world due to their beauty, range of habitats as well as exceptional landforms. Water activities are also possible as one walks down the golden beaches in New Zealand where wading further offers hiking trails, swimming and kayaking. Book a trip with TripXL which promises a surreal experience. Each beach in New Zealand promises a unique experience.
Cover Photo: Kyle Myburgh / Unsplash
