Best New Zealand Beaches
The Best Kiwi Beaches...
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16. Ocean Beach // North Island
Great for:- Surfing
Ocean Beach near Whangārei, on the east coast of North Island, is a sweeping stretch of golden sand facing into the Pacific Ocean. Located near the entrance to Whangārei Harbour, it is a well-known spot for surfing. The waves here can be strong, making it a favourite for experienced surfers.
The beach is surrounded by sand dunes and steep hills, with walking tracks leading to elevated viewpoints overlooking the coastline.… read more »
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17. Sandfly Beach // South Island
© Andrea Schaffer / CC BY Sandfly Bay lies on the Otago Peninsula on New Zealand's South Island, not far from the city of Dunedin. This beautiful, wild beach is backed by high dunes.
At the northern end of the beach is a bird watching hide constructed to watch the yellow-eyed penguins that are found in this area. The beach is also a good spot to see sea lions and fur seals.
Curiously, the name of… read more »
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18. Takapuna Beach // North Island
© Adam & Tess / CC BY Takapuna is sometimes referred to as the unofficial 'capital' of Auckland's North Shore - a series of coastal suburbs across Shoal Bay from the city centre. The Takapuna Beach area is the centre of the North Shore's nightlife, being home to many bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. It is also the main shopping centre of the North Shore.
The beach here is a fine stretch of white sand looking out… read more »
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19. Little Palm Beach // North Island
Little Palm beach sits next door to Palm beach in a relatively sheltered bay on Waiheke Island's north coast. It is yet another of the island's pristine beaches with a white sandy shoreline facing into clear blue sparkling waters.
What makes Little Palm well known amongst a plethora of other beautiful beaches of Waiheke Island is its reputation as a naturist beach - in fact it is often referred… read more »
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20. Oke Bay // Bay of Islands
© YHA-New-Zealand / CC BY Oke Bay is located near the village of Rawhiti in the Bay of Islands in the very North of New Zealand. This subtropical region consists of nearly 150 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula and is a water-lover's paradise. Known as a destination for whale and dolphin spotting, sailing and fishing the Bay of Islands area is home to any number of wonderful beaches, of which Oke Bay… read more »
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21. Onetangi Beach // North Island
© trakesht / CC BY At nearly 2 km (1.2 miles) long, the north-facing Onetangi Beach is the longest on Waiheke Island. The local have taken full advantage of this fact and the beach has been home to the Onetangi Beach Horse Races for many years.
Other activities the beach is well known for include the annual sandcastle-building contests; the soft sand, which is free from shells, is particularly suitable for the creation of some… read more »
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22. Karekare Beach // North Island
Goueg Great for:- Surfing
The secluded black sands of Karekare Beach lie surrounded by dramatic cliffs just 35 kilometres from the centre of Auckland on North Island. Immortalised in rock group Crowded House's Together Alone album which was largely recorded nearby, and the Oscar-winning film The Piano in the same year, Karekare beach has been named one of the top 25 beaches in the world.
Part of Karekare Regional Park, surfers regularly frequent the… read more »
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23. Matai Bay // North Island
itravelNZ® (Natalia Volna) Great for:- Swimming
Matai Bay is a remote northern beach well worth the journey, boasting soft white sand and stunning clear waters. Lying on a large circular inlet of the Pacific on New Zealand's east coast, it offers some protection from the might of the ocean, making swimming, diving, fishing and boating all popular pastime activities for those who visit.
Those who step beyond the native Pohutukawa trees that line the beach will find… read more »
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24. Tairua Beach // Coromandel Peninsula
russellstreet Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Located on State Highway 25a on the opposite side of the bay from Pauanui, Tairua Beach is one of the most centrally-located beaches found on the North Island's epic Coromandel Peninsula, making it a great base for exploring the region as well as a beach destination of some standing in its own right.
Tairua Beach sits at the base of the twin peaked Mount Paku, in an area of picturesque grandeur… read more »
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25. Onetahuti // Abel Tasman
Andrea Schaffer Onetahuti Beach is a long, thin ribbon of white sand separating protected crystalline waters from thick woodland. Facing the stunning Tonga Island, Onetahuti Beach lies within its marine reserve, ensuring a plethora of life beneath the waves.
There's no vehicular access to the beach, giving it an even more tranquil setting, but meaning visitors intent on reaching Onetahuti must do so either on foot or via boat. At the northern end… read more »
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26. New Chum Beach // Coromandel Peninsula
© Pseudopanax / CC BY The 1 km long pristine white-sand of New Chum beach sits in a secluded spot on the northeastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Although not far from the nearest settlement this beach retains a very unspoilt feel.
At the northern end of the beach is the 171 m tall wooded hill of Pukenui whilst the southern end is overlooked by the rocky Motuto Point which separates the beach from Whangapoua.
… read more » -
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27. Oneroa Beach // North Island
© J.E. Mcgowan / CC BY This long crescent of sand is considered the main beach on Waiheke Island. Set in a wide sheltered bay on the northern side of the islands biggest village, Oneroa, it has plenty of facilities such as a free BBQ area, public toilets and a playground for children.
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28. Hahei Beach // Coromandel Peninsula
© Luke Harries / CC BY Set on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, Hahei is often overlooked in favour of its better known neighbour, Cathedral Cove. Famed for its limestone rock arch, Cathedral Cove has been used a location in a number of films including the Chronicles of Narnia movies.
But Hahei beach itself is well worth a visit. It has the same limestone cliffs and pale, golden sand fringed with pohutukawa trees; it is lapped… read more »
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29. Little Oneroa Beach // North Island
© CC BY Little Oneroa beach is situated on Waiheke Island, around an hour's travel from Auckland. It forms the southern end of the sweeping white sands of Oneroa Bay, which is also the location of the island's main village.
The beach here is separated from the villages main beach (Big Oneroa) by a small finger of rock which can easily be climbed over, or walked around at low tide. Although by no… read more »
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30. Ngarunui Beach // North Island
Great for:- Surfing
Ngarunui Beach, on the west coast of the North Island, is the main beach in the world-famous surf town of Raglan. Known for its long stretch of black sand and consistent waves, it’s a popular spot for beginner and experienced surfers alike. The Tasman Sea brings in strong swells, but the beach has some more sheltered parts ideal for learning to surf.
Lifeguards patrol during summer, making it a safer… read more »
