Best Beaches in New Zealand

Located in the eastern part of Coromandel Peninsula, Hot Water Beach – also called Coromandel Hot Water Beach – is a large, long, popular, and beautiful beach with light brown sand and nearby driftwood and nearby rocks.  This beach is located in New Zealand’s North Island.  Many publications – including CNN and Travel+Leisure magazine – have listed this beach as one of the best beaches in New Zealand.  In addition, The New Zealand Herald listed Hot Water Beach New Zealand as one of the best beaches in New Zealand to visit in winter.  In addition, Times of India has also listed this beach as one of the "7 great beaches in Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Coast” – and it is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.  There are multiple rivers that flow near the beach, once these rivers pass the beach, they flow into Mercury Bay.  This beach should not be confused with another beach of the same name called Kawhia Hot Water Beach – this beach is located in New Zealand’s Waikato region.

Located between the towns of Moeraki and Hampden on the Otago coast of New Zealand, Koekohe Beach - also known as Moeraki Boulders Beach - is a one-mile-long beige sand beach with many rocky portions.  The beach is renowned for the Moeraki Boulders, large and spherical stones that weigh several tons and are up to two meters in diameter.  These perfect, spherical-shaped, cracked, honeycomb-like boulders were formed around 60 million years ago by septarian concretions in sea floor sediments.  Many also believe the boulders are the remains of eel baskets, gourds, and kumara from the wreck of the ancestral canoe, Araiteuru.  The beach has a beautiful backdrop of rugged cliffs, dense vegetation, and a beachfront cafe that offers Instagram-worthy views of the South Pacific Ocean.  It is worth noting that these boulders are protected by law, and visitors are encouraged to respect the natural environment.

Kaiteriteri Beach is known for its unique, golden sand and green-blue waters, earning its reputation as one of New Zealand's most postcard-worthy beaches. Abel Tasman National Park is a kayak or hike away from the beach, where you can see seals basking in the warm weather of the bay. You can walk the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, or hike to the nearby Withells Walk and Kaka Pah Point. Professional tours will guide you to these locations, or to the nearby Split Apple Rock, an easy paddle for families. You can also set sail on one of the catamaran tours and explore New Zealand's gorgeous scenery.

A unique way to explore the waters is on Māori canoes, called waka, which offer beachgoers a cultural experience on top of shimmering, blue waters. Waka are a historical form of transport, dating back thousands of years when people sailed the ocean for travel and trade. The canoes are double-hulled, including paddlers on two sides, making for a more inclusive and team-oriented experience.

Back on Kaiteriteri Beach is pure ocean and mountain bliss. Sunbathe on the soft sand with a family picnic, or wade into the shallow waters off the shoreline. You can also bike the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park within the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve to get up close and personal with oceanside nature. After you've worked up an appetite on your bike ride, head to one of the many restaurants and cafes in the area. The best of them is The Mermaid's Beach House, an eco-friendly beach shack that encourages you to bring your own mug or choose from one of theirs -- no paper or plastic allowed! Another favorite is Kai Restaurant & Bar, which offers wines, beers, and ciders that are specific to the Tasman region. With so much natural beauty and traditional water activities, Kaiteriteri Beach is a one-in-a-million destination and a paradise that's calling your name.

Ahipara Beach, located along in Ahipara, New Zealand, provides an impressive stretch of coastline that beckons beach lovers from all corners. Boasting several kilometers of golden sand, this beach offers a serene landscape framed by the sparkling waters of the Tasman Sea. Despite its natural beauty, Ahipara Beach has few amenities, so plan your trip accordingly, although it does not have facilities such as lifeguards on duty, bathroom access, and dogs are not allowed on the beach. Additionally, the beach does not facilitate disability access, nude sunbathing, camping, or surfing. Visitors to Ahipara Beach should come prepared to enjoy the tranquility and unspoiled nature, bringing along any necessities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable day out.