Top 10 Beautiful Beaches in New Zealand
1. Piha Beach
Piha is a scenic black-sand surf beach on the rugged coast west of Auckland. There are several walks through native forest in the surrounding hills.
A laid-back seaside village 45 minutes west of Auckland city, Piha is popular with local kiwis, especially in the summertime. The dramatic beach, which is marked at each end by rugged cliffs, is a popular surfing location. The water has strong and often dangerous currents. However, in summer, surf lifesavers patrol an area clearly flagged for swimmers.
You can take surfing lessons or try abseiling down the Piha canyon. Bring a picnic or visit the beachside surf club for a bite to eat.
In terms of accommodation, there are cottages and caravans for rent, a campground, and a B&B homestay. It’s also possible to rent private beach houses. Remember to book ahead, especially during summertime which is high season.
Source — Newzealand.com
2. Kaiteriteri Beach
Kaiteriteri is in a beautiful and ideal location right next to Abel Tasman National Park. Located right at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, this idyllic beach has the highest rate of sunshine in the whole of New Zealand! The constant rays make Kaiteriteri Beach the ideal place to swim in warm water and sunbathe on the golden sand! It is a classic Kiwi summer spot.
For wildlife enthusiasts, it’s also a great place to spot penguins, seals, and even dolphins! You can go on wildlife spotting boat cruises, or just hope to see them from the shore. It isn’t uncommon to spot Little Blue Penguins (the world’s smallest penguin) waddling around the beaches.
But besides just enjoying the beach, there is also a ton of things to do such as kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and hiking. Otherwise, just use Kaiteriteri town as a launch point for exploring Abel Tasman National Park!
Source — Theroadtrip.co.nz
3. Wainui/Okitu Beach
Gisborne is blessed with an amazing coastline, so it’s hard to choose just one spot to feature among New Zealand’s best beaches. For low key beach days and easily accessible walks, head to Waikanae Beach in town. For a secluded surfing spot, you can’t go past Sponge Bay. And for an epic right-hand point break head to Makorori Point. But there’s one beach that combines all the best bits beautifully together. The Gisborne beach I’m referring to? None other than the iconic Wainui Beach.
Wainui Beach is a long stretch of pure gold coastline that stretches out from the Wainui settlement at one end, right through to the Makarori headland. The northern end (pictured) is actually called Okitu Beach but it’s often referred to as Wainui as the two are only separated by the trickling Te Rimu Stream.
The Wainui end of the beach is a popular spot during the summer months, with several houses having direct access to the shoreline. The other end, at Okitu, is quieter and backed by grass-clad dunes, offering a more serene experience.
Source — Lelongweekend.com
4. Anapai Beach
Abel Tasman National Park is a top priority on the backpacker to-do list. Situated at the tip of New Zealand’s north island – the national park is home to stunning bushwalks, beaches, and greenery.
Mutton cove can be found near the northern tip of the Abel Tasman Great Walk. Like many of New Zealand’s secret beaches, Mutton Cove can only be reached by foot, boat or Kayak. If the walk is not up to your alley – you can hire an Aqua Taxi to discover this remote and picturesque location.
Allow 3 – 5 days to explore the entirety of Abel Tasman National Park – there are walking trails and beaches that can be discovered in the duration of one day, however. If you are a keen adventurer, there are a number of campsites throughout the national park. Ensure that you research walking times, weather and campsite locations before setting off! Mutton Cove campsite has running water, a fireplace, and a flush toilet.
Source — Stayatbase.com
5. Waiheke Island
With pristine beaches, world-class wines, and fantastic cuisine, it’s easy to see why Waiheke Island is considered the jewel in the Hauraki Gulf’s crown. Although only 35 minutes from Auckland, you’ll feel like you’re a world away as you browse through art galleries, sample award-winning olive oils and soak in stunning sea views.
With so much to do, there’s truly something for everyone on Waiheke Island and we’re very proud to have been voted one of the world’s Top 20 islands by Conde Nast Traveller in 2016, and included on Lonely Planet’s list of top 10 travel regions in 2015.
With regular ferry sailings, Waiheke is the perfect place to escape to for the day, or even just the afternoon. Once here though, it’s hard to leave, and our many beautiful accommodation venues offer the perfect solution.
On the following pages, you will find information on many businesses that call Waiheke home. Those marked with our “W” stamp are members of Waiheke Island Tourism (WIT), a non-profit business organisation striving to maintain our island’s unique character while ensuring you, our wonderful visitors, enjoy a truly memorable Waiheke experience.
So whether you’re wanting to walk around the stunning coastal headlands, tour your way through our many vineyards or simply relax and do nothing at all, we truly hope you enjoy your time on our magical island.
Source — Tourismwaiheke.co.nz
6. Awaroa Beach
"The people's beach" lies deep in the Abel Tasman National Park inaptly named Golden Bay, at the top of the South Island.
When the privately held beachfront came up for sale in 2016, around 39,000 Kiwis donated money so that the site could be gifted to the country's Department of Conservation and kept open to the public.
Work is now been carried out to restore and protect its ecosystem, with coastal birds nesting and roosting nearby.
Crowd-funding may have made this beach accessible to the public but with luck, its location in the heart of a national park without road access will ensure it remains relatively unpolluted by people.
The majority of visitors to this piece of paradise come by water or on foot, taking a dip in its clear waters all the sweeter.
Source — Edition.cnn.com
7. Koekohe Beach
The Moeraki boulders seen at Koekohe Beach, are a mysterious group of partially submerged large spherical stones that have similar characteristics to veined dragon eggs.
Golden sand entrenches dozens of these boulders while the wind, waves, and rain unearth these incredible primeval seafloor sediments one by one.
These large calcite concretions were created by the hardening of ancient sea sediment that was exposed through sea erosion some 60 million years ago.
Measuring up to three metres in diameter, the Moeraki boulders are a combination of crystallisation of calcium and carbonates. It’s pretty cool to jump inside one of these monstrosities too (some of them look like cracked eggs)! But unlike the warmer more northern beaches, if you're thinking of going for a dip in the water we would recommend wearing a wetsuit.
Source — Activeadventures.com
8. Ninety Mile Beach
Ninety-Mile Beach is the fabled strip of sand that stretches from Ahipara to Scott Point, five kilometres south of Cape Maria van Diemen. Truth be told, it is actually 88 kilometres long.
This beach is officially a highway, but is really only suitable for 4WD vehicles and is safe to drive only at specific times of the tides. Rental companies won’t allow their cars on the sand, mostly for safety reasons.
The easy way to drive along the beach is to catch a coach tour from Kaitaia. If you are short of time in Northland and staying in the Bay of Islands, coach tours and scenic flights up to Cape Reinga depart from Paihia daily.
Source — Newzealand.com
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