Quick answer: New Zealand’s best beaches include Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel, Mount Maunganui’s Main Beach, Karekare’s black sand near Auckland, the white silica sand of Rarawa and Maitai Bay in Northland, Awaroa in Abel Tasman National Park, and Wharariki, Gillespies and the Moeraki Boulders on the South Island. Many of them are wild, with strong rips and changeable weather, so swim only between lifeguard flags where they exist, and check the Department of Conservation (DOC) for track closures before you go.
Before you go
- Beach safety: many New Zealand beaches, especially on the west coasts, have powerful rip currents. Swim between the red-and-yellow flags at patrolled beaches, and do not swim at unpatrolled surf beaches unless you are experienced.
- Seasons: New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so summer runs from about December to February. That is the main beach season and the time when most beaches are patrolled.
- Visas: Indian passport holders need a New Zealand visitor visa. Apply through Immigration New Zealand, and check the requirements before you book.
11 best beaches in New Zealand
1. Koekohe Beach and the Moeraki Boulders, Otago
The Moeraki Boulders lie along Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast, between Moeraki and Hampden on the South Island. They are huge, near-spherical concretions that formed inside sea-floor mudstone and have been exposed by coastal erosion. The larger boulders are about 2 metres across and are estimated to have taken 4 to 5.5 million years to grow. Look closely at the cracked, veined patterns on their surfaces, and visit around low tide, when more of them are exposed.
If you are looking for surf in this part of the country, head instead to Taranaki on the North Island, where State Highway 45, the “Surf Highway”, runs 105 km around the coast from New Plymouth to Hāwera past many well-known surf breaks.
2. Rarawa Beach, Far North
Rarawa Beach, on the Aupōuri Peninsula in Northland, is famous for its very white silica sand, which squeaks underfoot; sunglasses are a good idea on a bright day. DOC runs a campsite near the beach, beside a stream among trees, in partnership with the local iwi, Ngāti Kuri. Swimming, fishing and walking are popular, but the beach break can be treacherous, so take care in the surf.
3. Awaroa Beach, Abel Tasman National Park
Awaroa is much loved by New Zealanders. In 2016, when the beach was privately owned and up for sale, tens of thousands of people pledged small donations to a crowdfunding campaign that raised about NZ$2 million to buy it. The beach was then added to Abel Tasman National Park, and it is now managed by DOC.
You can walk in on the Abel Tasman Coast Track, or arrive by water taxi, boat or kayak. An earlier version of this article gave specific donor numbers and walking distances that we could not confirm; check DOC or a water-taxi operator for current routes and tide times, since the Awaroa Inlet crossing depends on the tide.
4. Karekare Beach, Auckland
Karekare is a small coastal settlement in the Waitākere Ranges west of Auckland, with a dramatic black-sand beach backed by bush-covered cliffs. The beach scenes of Jane Campion’s 1993 film The Piano, including the piano left on the shore, were filmed here.
Like neighbouring Piha, Karekare has powerful, unpredictable rip currents, so swim only between the flags when lifeguards are on duty. An earlier version of this article sent readers from Karekare to Kitekite Falls; Kitekite is actually inland from Piha, the next beach north.
5. Ninety Mile Beach (Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē), Northland
Despite the name, Ninety Mile Beach is about 88 km (55 miles) long. It runs along the west coast of the Aupōuri Peninsula from near Ahipara to Scott Point (Tiriparepa), south of Cape Reinga. Its Māori name, Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē, became an official dual name in 2014. A popular story says the English name came from early travellers on horseback who covered about 30 miles a day, took three days and forgot that the sand slowed their horses, but its origin is not certain.
The beach is officially a public highway, used mainly by tourist vehicles. If you plan to drive on it, check your rental conditions and the tide times first. Visitors also come for the sunsets and to sandboard on the nearby Te Paki dunes.
6. Cathedral Cove (Mautohe), the Coromandel
Cathedral Cove is famous for its huge natural rock arch, which links two coves inside the Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve near Hahei. It can be reached only on foot or by water. Storms in 2023 badly damaged the walking track. It reopened on 1 December 2024, closed again after heavy rain in January 2026 and reopened on 31 January 2026.
As of October 2026, DOC says Mautohe Cathedral Cove is open for walking access, but the area is naturally unstable and the track can close at short notice. Shuttles do not run, and the track closes, when there is an orange or red weather warning for Hahei. Some nearby tracks, including the old coastal track from Hahei Beach, remain closed. Check DOC’s Cathedral Cove updates page on the day you plan to visit.
An earlier version of this article said you could start the walk from the northern end of Hahei Beach. That section of track has been closed since the storm damage.
7. Gillespies Beach, West Coast
Gillespies Beach is a black-sand beach about 20 km by road west of Fox Glacier township, between Westland Tai Poutini National Park and the Tasman Sea. Gold was found in its sands in 1866, and the settlement briefly became the third-largest on the West Coast; a miners’ cemetery remains near the old settlement site. Today it is known for sunsets and for views of Aoraki/Mount Cook. A walking track from the DOC campsite, past an old miners’ tunnel, leads to Galway Beach, home to a New Zealand fur seal colony. Keep your distance from the seals.
8. Wharariki Beach, Golden Bay
Wharariki Beach is near the very top of the South Island, west of Cape Farewell, in the Tasman District. It is known for its dunes, caves, wind and the Archway Islands just offshore, which appear on many New Zealand calendars. You reach it by a 20-minute walking track from the end of Wharariki Road. At low tide you can explore further along the sand, and fur seal pups are often seen playing in the pools near the easternmost island.
An earlier version of this article placed Wharariki at the top of the North Island and west of “Cape Goodbye”. It is on the South Island, west of Cape Farewell.
9. Mount Maunganui Main Beach, Tauranga
Mount Maunganui is a beach suburb on a peninsula north-east of central Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. Its Main Beach sits at the foot of Mauao (“The Mount”), a 232-metre hill with a popular summit walk and wide views along the coast. The beach is lively, with cafés and shops nearby, and it is known for good surf. Parts of the beach can be dangerous, so swim between the flags.
10. Hot Water Beach, the Coromandel
Hot Water Beach is on the Coromandel Peninsula’s east coast, just south of Mercury Bay. Hot water rises through the sand from underground, reaching up to 64°C (147°F). Within about two hours either side of low tide you can dig your own warm pool in the sand; spades can be hired nearby.
Take care: the hottest water can scald, and the sea here has dangerous rip currents, holes and large waves. Rips have killed visitors, so swim only between the lifeguard flags, and only if you are a strong swimmer.
11. Maitai Bay, Karikari Peninsula
Maitai Bay (formerly Matai Bay), on the north-east coast of the Karikari Peninsula in Northland, is often compared with tropical beaches for its clear water and pale sand. It is a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling, walking and camping. Facilities are limited, so bring supplies.
A beach we have removed
An earlier version of this article included “Bioluminescent Mosquito Narrows” on the South Island, overlooking the Kaipara Harbour. That description does not match any New Zealand beach: the Kaipara Harbour is on the North Island, and the well-known bioluminescent Mosquito Bay is in Puerto Rico. We have removed it.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit New Zealand’s beaches?
Summer, from about December to February, has the warmest weather and the most lifeguard patrols. March and April can still be pleasant and less crowded.
Is Cathedral Cove open?
As of October 2026, DOC says the Mautohe Cathedral Cove track is open, but it can close at short notice after heavy rain or weather warnings. Check DOC’s updates page before you go.
Is Ninety Mile Beach really 90 miles long?
No. It is about 88 km (55 miles) long.
Can you swim at Hot Water Beach?
You can, but it is known for dangerous rip currents. Swim only between the lifeguard flags. Most visitors come to dig hot pools around low tide rather than to swim.
Which New Zealand beaches have white sand?
Rarawa Beach and Maitai Bay in Northland are known for their pale sand, and Abel Tasman beaches such as Awaroa have golden sand. Many west-coast beaches, such as Karekare and Gillespies, have black sand.
Planning more beach trips? See our guides to the best beaches in Australia, the best beaches in Indonesia and the best beaches in Thailand.
This guide was checked in October 2026 against the New Zealand Department of Conservation’s site and track updates and published information on each beach.
