10 Best Beaches in New Zealand

Awaroa Beach, Abel Tasman National Park

This golden strip of sand, fringed by turquoise waters, is part of the popular Abel Tasman National Park on Tasman Bay (also known as Te Tai-o-Aorere) at the top of the South Island. Awaroa Beach is nothing if not beloved. So much so that in 2016, almost 40,000 Kiwis banded together to buy the beach from a private entity for more than $2 million and donated it to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.

Kayak or paddleboard the crystal-clear waves or recline on the wide, sunny coast and enjoy the otherworldly views. The beach is a 90-minute boat ride from Kaiteriteri. You can also hike there along the Abel Tasman Coast Track from Totaranui Beach (4.5 miles) or Bark Bay (six miles). Bark Bay isn’t road-accessible, so to hike from this point, book the shuttle boat (from Totaranui or Kaiteriteri) to take you to the dock at Medlands Beach, where the Bark Bay segment begins.

Wharariki Beach, Cape Farewell

If you end up on the northwesternmost corner of the South Island, head to Wharariki Beach to explore sea caves and dunes. Traverse a 20-minute walking track from the end of Wharariki Road to get to this golden stretch. You’ll likely recognize its Archway Islands, a trio of huge, photogenic rocks shaped like arches. Spot seals playing on the shore and rocks, go horseback riding, and head down at low tide for the best view of the exposed rock formations.

Cathedral Cove, The Coromandel

The Coromandel, known in the Māori language as Te Tara-o-Te-Ika-a-Māui, or “The Spine of the Fish of the North Island,” is one of the most stunning areas of New Zealand. The peninsula is home to paradisiacal beaches, a rich gold-mining history, and plenty of opportunities for summer fun. To get to its crown jewel, Cathedral Cove, hop on the trail at the northern end of Hahei Beach and wind along the clifftop for about an hour. Then, descend to the cathedral-like arched cavern and pass through to reach two secluded coves. From the shore, you can enjoy the views of the two tree-covered rock formations. Picnic in the shade of the fragrant pohutukawa trees or snorkel in the blue-green waters. Or, enjoy the scenery from offshore on a boat ride around the white cliffs.   

Hot Water Beach, The Coromandel

At this natural wonder, located about a 10-minute drive from Cathedral Cove, you can dig out your own personal hot spring in the sand. Within two hours before or after low tide, make your way to the rocks at the southern end of the beach, plant your shovel (several nearby cafes will rent you one if need be), and dig down. The hot springs can reach up to 147 degrees Fahrenheit—if you get too hot, simply cool off in the ocean. Soak in the steamy waters while you gaze out at the surfers playing on the waves.

Koekohe Beach, Otago Coast, South Island

About an hour’s drive north of Dunedin on the South Island, Koekohe Beach is famous among geologists for the spherical boulders that formed about 65 million years ago. The Indigenous Māori people once believed the boulders were gourds that washed ashore from an ancient canoe wreck, but the science behind it is just as interesting as the legend. Geologists concluded that the boulders formed over four million years as calcite built up around an organic core, which also caused the rocks’ striking cracks to form over time. The boulders make lovely subjects for photographs, but you can also have fun exploring the nearby fishing village of Moeraki and the rest of the Otago coast, known for its penguin and fur seal colonies.

Rarawa Beach, Northland

Roughly five hours north of Auckland by car, this remote beach is located in Wharekāpu, or the Paxton Point Conservation Area, and has some of the whitest sand you’ve probably ever seen—in fact, you’ll need sunglasses to beat the glare coming off the quartz coastline. When you’re not admiring the uncrowded shore, cool off with a dip in the ocean or opt for swimming in the gentle lagoon that forms at high tide. Keep an eye out for New Zealand dotterels and variable oystercatchers, which nest in the dunes.

If you don’t want to leave this natural paradise, spend the night at the campsite on a nearby riverbank. Around the peninsula, you can stay busy by sandboarding at the Te Paki Sand Dunes, or drive an hour to the tip of the coast to visit the Cape Reinga lighthouse.

Karekare Beach, Auckland

Surf’s up at Karekare Beach, about an hour’s drive west of Auckland. Sizable waves and super-soft black sand make it a favorite among athletes and sunbathers alike. The spot, part of Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, is a favorite of filmmakers, too, and has been featured in movies and TV series like “The Piano” and Xena: Warrior Princess. Those in need of some shade after a day on the sand should head inland to Kitekite Falls, where a two-mile hike through a coastal forest leads to a dramatic waterfall and swimming hole.

Ninety Mile Beach, Northland

This seemingly never-ending stretch of sand is situated on Northland’s western shores, on the opposite side of Rarawa Beach. Ninety Mile Beach starts at Ahipara and ends at Scott Point along the country’s Aupouri Peninsula, but it doesn’t actually measure 90 miles. In reality, the storied sandy strip is only 55 miles long. It’s thought that the spot was named by horseback riders who took three days to complete their journey; they estimated their steeds traveled at 30 miles per day, but didn’t account for the horses’ slower pace on sand. These days, travelers flock here for two main reasons: to see jaw-dropping sunsets and seek out left-hand surf breaks.

Gillespies Beach, West Coast, South Island

From Fox Glacier, a township at the base of the Southern Alps, follow Cook Flat Road for 30 minutes to Gillespies Beach, where a warm, tannin-stained lagoon is good for a swim. This beach is known for three things: sunsets, seals, and snowcapped peaks. The West Coast community was once the site of a gold-mining settlement—there’s even a miner’s cemetery there—but today it’s prized for its golden sunsets. To the east is a jaw-dropping view of snowy Aoraki/Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand, which lies in the distance beyond the sand. Hike up to nearby Galway Beach to spot a seal colony, where the animals sprawl out beside the Tasman Sea.

Maitai Bay, Northland

This remote Northland beach on the scenic Karikari Peninsula has clear, calm waters and soft white sand. When you’ve had enough sun, it’s less than a 10-minute drive to New Zealand’s northernmost winery, Carrington Estate, where you’ll find generous pours of Syrah along with the beautiful coastal views. Back at the beach, you can camp among the New Zealand Christmas trees—the sweet-smelling, red-blooming pohutukawas lining the shore. A short path takes you from the campsite to the water, so you’ll be mere moments away from starting your day with a lovely sunrise swim.