Buffalo Beach
Buffalo Beach can be found forming the coastline to the town of Whitianga in Mercury Bay. This V-shaped inlet lies on the eastern side of the famed Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand’s North Island.
Intimately connected with the first European explorations of the country, it was here that Captain Cook took his measurements of the transit of the planet Mercury across the face of the sun in 1769, leading to the bay’s name. The beach itself is named after the British Royal Navy Ship HMS Buffalo, which was wrecked on the beach in 1840. Its anchor can still be seen here.
This fine ribbon of clean welcoming sand leads into equally seductive waters that are generally safe for swimming in. The other main pastimes here are game fishing and yachting, with the boat club on the bay having challenged for the America’s Cup in 1987.
At the northern end of Whitianga visitors will discover the tranquillity of Buffalo Beach Reserve.
Nearest town/city
Whitianga
Activities
- Good fishing
- Swimming/bathing
Submit a correction
More North Island beaches in New Zealand
Current weather (Sat Feb 8th 13:00)

(Cloudy)
22.8°C / 73°F
Sea temperature
21°C69.8°F
What did we get wrong?
Rate Buffalo Beach
North Island
New Zealand
Beaches nearby
- Ohuka Beach (1.3 mi)
- Wharekaho Beach (2.3 mi)
- Whauwhau Beach (4 mi)
- Cathedral Cove (5 mi)
- Hahei Beach (6.1 mi)
- Rings Beach (6.2 mi)
- Kuaotunu Beach (6.6 mi)
- Matarangi Beach (7.4 mi)
- Otama Beach (8.1 mi)
- Hot Water Beach (8.2 mi)