12 Best Beaches in New Zealand

With over 9,300 miles of coastline, New Zealand has countless beaches to choose from. If you ask locals which spots are the favorites, you'll probably get a different answer every time. From the tip of the North Island to the South Island's deep reaches, there's an ideal beach for just about everyone here, whether you're seeking the best surfing waves, calm water for swimming, or a scenic stroll. You might even take a beach-hopping trip through the country to experience a wide variety.

Grab those beach towels and get ready to explore some of the best stretches across the North and the South Islands!

Hot Water Beach is a bit of a two-for-one, as famous Cathedral Cove is just a 10-minute drive away. Together, this pair offers one of New Zealand's most memorable beach experiences. First, visit Hot Water Beach on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula within two hours of low tide (on either side). Don't forget to bring a shovel so you can dig out your own natural hot tub. Once finished, jump in and relax in the soothing, warm water bubbling right up through the sand. This unique experience is available only in a few destinations around the world, and Hot Water Beach is the most easily accessible. 

Before or after your visit to Hot Water Beach, head to nearby Cathedral Cove for incredible photo ops like the postcard-perfect archway framing a stunning ivory sand beach and brilliant blue-green waters.

Ideal for a day trip from Auckland, Piha is only 25 miles from the city and offers a long stretch of black sand. At low tide, you can walk south along the beach to watch the surf shoot through the "Keyhole" in a rock formation called Camel Rock. There are also treks leading to Taitoma Island and Lion Rock. If you plan to swim, look for the flags marking the safe section. Stay between them to avoid wild waves and strong undercurrents. Otherwise, it's worth a visit just to admire the beauty. If you're up for a bite, enjoy dining with a view at the iconic Piha Surf Life Saving Club. 

About 45 minutes west of Auckland, Muriwai is a dramatic black sand beach popular for surfing, complete with a surf school for beginners who want to learn to get up on a board. Kite and bike rentals are also available. Birdwatchers will especially enjoy it here as thousands of gannets come to nest at Ōtakamiro Point (best seen from August to March, the nesting season). You can even see them up close from the viewing platforms. Book an excursion through Miriwai Beach Horse Tracks to ride across the sand, or head out on your own to hike the scenic clifftop trails for sweeping sea views. Stick around until dusk to watch the sun go down over the ocean from the dunes.

Bethells, about a 45-minute drive northwest of Auckland, is made up of dark, volcanic sand backed by towering black dunes that can be climbed for incredible coastal views. Freshwater Lake Wainamu is only a short walk from the dunes, providing a warm, calm spot for swimming. Leave the powerful ocean surf to the expert surfers. A scenic coastal stroll north from the main beach to O'Neill Bay is always enjoyable, or, at low tide, explore the sea caves at the end of the beach. 

Waīmarama is a long sandy beach southeast of Hastings in Hawke's Bay. One of the finest you'll find on the North Island, it has sections with outstanding waves for surfing and calm areas for swimming. Or simply relax while enjoying the breathtaking views of Bare Island, even more impressive at sunrise and sunset. Fans of tide pooling should head south to find all sorts of marine life, while families with kids take advantage of the grassy dunes and playground. For a safe place to splash around, head to the stream nearby on Airini Road. There's also a shop for ice cream, fish 'n chips, and other quick meals close by. 

Located in the Bay of Plenty region, directly across the harbor from Tauranga, Mount Maunganui is often named New Zealand's favorite beach. Before visiting, take the Mount Maunganui Summit Walk for panoramic views of the beach, the city of Tauranga, Mtakana Island, and beyond. Afterward, lounge around on the white sands, swim, kayak or SUP in the calm waters of Pilot Bay, or surf the ocean waves. From here, you can also explore Moturiki (Leisure Island), less than a 15-minute walk south of the main beach via a manmade land bridge. Once there, look for marine creatures in the tide pools, watch for little blue penguins, and check out the blowhole at the island's northern end where water shoots high into the air during heavy swells and high tides. 

Located in Punakaiki National Park along the South Island's wild west coast, Punakaiki is famous for its blowholes and the Pancake Rocks, odd limestone rock formations reminiscent of massive pancakes. Visit at high tide to capture outstanding photos of the 30-million-year-old rocks. They formed from tiny fragments of marine creatures and plants that landed on the seabed, with the water pressure eventually solidifying them into hard and soft layers. Over time, seismic action lifted the limestone, while the rain, wind, and waves transformed the rocks into the unique shapes you'll see today. By walking a 45-minute loop at Dolomite Point, you'll get a close-up look at the "pancake" rocks and a blowhole. 

Wild and remote Wharariki sits at the northernmost tip of the South Island. It requires a 20-minute walk to reach, crossing farmland, grassy hills, and dunes, but your reward is the chance to see playful fur seals and their pups around the tide pools. You can also walk to the massive, jagged rock formations offshore, wander through coastal sea caves at low tide, and watch a stunning sunset reflected on the wet sand. In fact, the beach is best photographed around dusk, so if you don't have all day, plan to arrive in the late afternoon. 

Hokitika is one of New Zealand's most charming beach towns. Located on the west coast of the South Island, its sandy coastline stretches for miles along the Tasman Sea near the mouth of the Hokitika River. Snap a selfie at the iconic "HOKITIKA" sign made up of driftwood, then step onto the sand for a long stroll. Fishing and surfing can also be enjoyed, but swimming is best avoided. Ideally, plan your visit later in the afternoon as Hokitika offers one of the best vantage points for watching the sun go down over the sea. Afterward, you can watch for the little blue penguins that come ashore at night, frequently nesting in the patches of coastal scrub.  

One of the most popular among locals on the South Island, Kaiteriteri Beach is a gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, just under an hour's drive from Nelson. It offers fine, orange-golden sands and clear, calm turquoise water for swimming. Sea kayaking is a favorite activity, with rentals and tours available to take you paddling out toward rock formations like Split Apple or to the coastal lagoons. Sailing tours and water taxis offer departures right from the beach if you want to visit fur seal colonies, hidden coves, and other beaches like Anchorage Bay. 

Those up for a walk will find multiple scenic trails like the roughly 30-minute route to Little Kaiteriteri, available only at low tide. Or venture over to the western end of Kaiteriteri for magnificent views of the beach and its surrounds from the headland.

Southshore Beach Park is located at the southern end of an uninterrupted stretch of sandy coastline, about five miles east of central Christchurch on the east coast of the South Island. The long shoreline is perfect for tranquil ocean-view strolls and spotting local coastal birds like the South Island pied oystercatcher and pied cormorant, with few other visitors around. Follow the Southshore Spit Track, a one-mile loop, to meander through the coastal dunes and along an estuary while enjoying views that stretch to Redcliffs and, on a clear day, the mountains in the distance. 

Allans Beach is located on the Otago Peninsula, renowned for its abundant wildlife, surf breaks, and coastal views. Just before reaching the beach, stop at the viewing area near Hoopers Inlet to watch for sea lions and seals. Time your visit to Allans to arrive just before sunset if you can, as there's a good chance you'll encounter yellow-eyed penguins. Their Māori name, hoiho, means "noise shouter." As soon as you hear its shrill, high-pitched call, you'll know why.

The surf is far too powerful for swimming here, but the beach itself is pristine and tranquil, ideal for immersing yourself in nature with no shops, eateries, or facilities of any kind. Bring a picnic and enjoy!