Best Beaches in New Zealand

Located on the western coast of the North Island in the Far North region of New Zealand, Ninety Mile Beach - also known as Te-Oneroa-a-Tohe - is an 88-kilometer-long, beige sand beach. The beach stretches from Ahipara Bay in the southwest to Scott Point in the northwest and has a spectacular backdrop of sand dunes, scrubland, wild vegetation, and a few oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  The beach is officially designated as a highway and is used by vehicles as a substitute for State Highway 1 north of Kaitaia, though driving conditions depend on the tides.  This beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

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 at the northern end of Tasman Bay within the Abel Tasman National Park in the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island, Awaroa Beach is an 800-meter-long golden sand beach.   This beach is positioned around the tidal estuary and has a spectacular backdrop of granite rock, lush vegetation, and several oceanfront buildings creating a picturesque setting along Awaroa Bay. Awaroa Beach is adjacent to Awaroa Inlet, where the Awaroa River meets the sea, creating a mix of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. This inlet is significantly impacted by tidal movements, with vast mudflats and sandbanks exposed during low tide that connect the estuarine wetlands with the Tasman Sea. Awaroa Beach, Abel Tasman, part of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the 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.

Located on the eastern coast of the North Island in the Far North region of New Zealand, Rarawa Beach is a long white sand beach.  The beach is positioned near the Aupouri Peninsula and has a spectacular backdrop of sand dunes, scrubland, wild vegetation, and a few oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  There is a small stream, popularly known as Rarawa Stream, that flows into the ocean, creating a picturesque estuary.  This beach is part of the Paxton Point Conservation Area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located near Waitemata Harbour in a seaside suburb of Auckland City, on the North Island of New Zealand, Mission Bay - also known as Mission Bay Beach or Mission Bay Auckland - is a 300-meter-long and wide fine golden sand beach. This immensely popular and one of the most visited beaches in Auckland is part of a popular seaside resort positioned alongside Tamaki Drive.  It has a beautiful backdrop of low hills covered with coastal vegetation, a large park popularly known as Selwyn Domain, a fountain, a promenade lined with Pohutukawa trees, and many oceanfront buildings, which together offer incredible views of the famous Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano in the Hauraki Gulf.  Mission Bay, Auckland, is part of the Selwyn Reserve and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located on the west coast of Auckland, New Zealand, Karekare Beach is a small black sand beach with many rocky portions.  The black sand of Karekare Beach is due to the presence of high iron content that comes from the volcanic activities in the region.  This beach is positioned near the famous Piha Beach and Muriwai Beach and has a spectacular backdrop of the Waitakere Ranges, lush forests, and rugged cliffs, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  Also, there is a small stream that drains into the sea near the beach, creating a beautiful contrast with the dark sand.  Karekare Beach is part of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island, Cathedral Cove - also known as Cathedral Cove Beach - is a 150-meter-long, immensely popular white sand beach.  This is one of the most photographed beaches in New Zealand, which is named after its massive, naturally-formed rock arch present right on the beach, resembling a cathedral that has been formed by natural erosion over thousands of years.  It is positioned on the shores of the famous Mercury Bay and has a beautiful backdrop of limestone cliffs, pohutukawa trees, and forests, which together offer spectacular views of Te Pare Point, Whale Cave, Te Hoho Rock, Motueka Island, and the vast Pacific Ocean.  Also, Hahei Beach is the gateway to the iconic Cathedral Cove, as there is no direct access to this beach.  This beach is part of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, which is a protected area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located at the northern end of Tasman Bay within the Abel Tasman National Park in the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island, Observation Beach is a small golden sand beach.  This beach is positioned near the famous Abel Tasman Coast Track, and it has a spectacular backdrop of headlands, granite rock, and lush vegetation, creating a picturesque setting along the Torrent Bay.  Observation Beach is part of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located in a suburb of Tauranga, in New Zealand's North Island, Mount Maunganui Main Beach—also known as Mount Maunganui Beach, Mount Main Beach, or Maunganui Beach - is a 4.4-kilometer-long, white sandy beach.  The beach is positioned within the holiday resort town of Mount Maunganui and lies at the base of Mauao, a dormant volcanic cone commonly called "The Mount" that shaped the region millions of years ago along the Bay of Plenty region.  It has a beautiful background of Mount Maunganui, coastal vegetation, and many oceanfront buildings, which together offer Instagram-worthy views of the Tasman Sea, Moturiki Island, and Motuotau Island.  This immensely popular beach in New Zealand is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty, flora, and fauna of the region.

Located near the town of Whangapoua on the northeast coast of the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand, New Chums Beach is a one-kilometer-long crescent-shaped white sand beach.  This immensely popular beach is one of the most visited beaches in the world, which is positioned at the north end of Whangapoua Beach on the shores of Wainuiototo Bay.  It has a spectacular backdrop of rocky outcrops and lush vegetation, including nikau palms and giant pohutukawa trees, creating a picturesque setting along the Pacific Ocean. 

Interestingly, The Observer, Britain's oldest Sunday newspaper, has listed New Chums Beach as one of the top 20 deserted beaches worldwide, and Lonely Planet and National Geographic have also placed it as one of New Zealand's best beaches.  It is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.  New Chums Beach is protected by the New Zealand Coastal Trust and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located near the town of Takaka in the Tasman region on the northern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Wainui Bay - also known as Wainui Beach or Wainui Bay Beach - is a two-kilometer-long golden sand beach.   This secluded bay is positioned near Abel Tasman National Park, one of New Zealand’s most famous coastal reserves, and has a spectacular backdrop of granite rocks, limestone caves, rugged cliffs, and lush vegetation, creating a picturesque setting along Golden Bay.  It is adjacent to Wainui Inlet where the Wainui River meets the sea, creating a mix of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. This inlet is significantly impacted by tidal movements, with vast mudflats and sandbanks exposed during low tide that connect the estuarine wetlands with the Tasman Sea. Wainui Bay Beach is part of the Golden Bay area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located at the end of the Whangarei Heads peninsula of Northland, New Zealand, Ocean Beach is a three-kilometer-long and wide golden sand beach with many rocky portions.  This is one of the popular surf beaches in New Zealand, which is positioned thirty-five kilometers southeast of Whangarei City near the Kauri Mountain Beach and has a beautiful backdrop of dunes, hills, headlands, wild vegetation, and a coastal forest, which together offers Instagram-worthy views of Moturaka Island, Tarakanahi Island, and the vast Pacific Ocean.  This beach is part of a protected area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located in the Tasman region, on the northern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Kaiteriteri Beach is a one-kilometer-long, crescent-shaped golden sand beach with many rocky portions, which is considered one of the best beaches in the world.  This famous beach is just 13 kilometers from the town of Motueka, which serves as one of the main gateways to the famous Abel Tasman National Park and has been ranked as one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches.  It has a spectacular backdrop of headlands, hills, granite rocks, lush vegetation, a large park popularly known as Kaiteriteri Playground, a fountain, a promenade, and many oceanfront buildings, which together provide amazing views of the nearby islands and rock formations along the Tasman Sea.  The beach is positioned around the tidal estuary near the entrance of the beach, where it meets the bay, creating a mix of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.  Kaiteriteri Beach is part of the Kaka Point Historic Reserve and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located on the northern end of Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand, Totaranui Bay Beach - also known as Totaranui Beach - is a one-kilometer-long golden sand beach.  Its golden color is due to the presence of iron oxide in the granite rocks of the region.  This beach is home to the famous Totaranui Campground positioned near the Gibbs Hill, and has a spectacular backdrop of granite rock, lush vegetation, and several oceanfront buildings creating a picturesque setting along the Goat Bay.  Totaranui Bay Beach, part of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located on the western coast of the North Island in the Far North region of New Zealand, Ahipara Beach is a long and wide, beige sand beach with many rocky portions. This beach is positioned at the southern end of the iconic Ninety Mile Beach and has a spectacular backdrop of sand dunes, scrubland, wild vegetation, and a few oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Shipwreck Bay.  This famous beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

The rugged west coast of Northland was historically perilous for ships due to its strong currents, shifting sands, and unpredictable weather. Many of the shipwrecks were reported to date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries when Ahipara Beach was one of the key maritime routes. Some shipwreck remains can still be seen at low tide near the beach.

Located on the Coromandel Peninsula in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island, Cooks Beach is a three-kilometer-long white sand beach.  The beach is positioned on the shores of the famous Mercury Bay, and it has a spectacular backdrop of dunes, lush vegetation, forests, and several oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Pacific Ocean.  This beach extends from where the Purangi River flows into the sea at the western end of the beach to the iconic Shakespeare Cliff to the east.  Cooks Beach is part of a protected area that is owned by the Maori community and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located in a suburb of Tauranga, in New Zealand's North Island, Mount Maunganui Main Beach—also known as Mount Maunganui Beach, Mount Main Beach, or Maunganui Beach - is a 4.4-kilometer-long, white sandy beach.  The beach is positioned within the holiday resort town of Mount Maunganui and lies at the base of Mauao, a dormant volcanic cone commonly called "The Mount" that shaped the region millions of years ago along the Bay of Plenty region.  It has a beautiful background of Mount Maunganui, coastal vegetation, and many oceanfront buildings, which together offer Instagram-worthy views of the Tasman Sea, Moturiki Island, and Motuotau Island.  This immensely popular beach in New Zealand is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty, flora, and fauna of the region.

Located at the northwestern tip of South Island in New Zealand, Abel Tasman National Park is the smallest national park in New Zealand, spread over 22,530 hectares with golden sand beaches, tidal estuaries, hiking trails, campsites, lush forests, and native bushlands.  The park was officially established on December 19, 1942, and is named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who was the first European to sight New Zealand in 1642.  The nearby towns, Motueka, Marahau, and Takaka, are the main gateways to Abel Tasman National Park.

This park is home to several islands, caves, arches, sea stacks, rivers, estuaries, and golden sandy beaches, namely Apple Tree Bay, Coquille Bay, Tinline Bay, Anchorage Beach, Torrent Bay Beach, Medlands Beach, Sandfly Bay, Mosquito Bay, Awaroa Beach, Onetahuti Beach, Waiharakeke Bay, Totaranui Beach, Anapai Bay, Mutton Cove, and Whariwharangi Beach.  Abel Tasman National Park is part of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located in the coastal suburb of New Brighton in the city of Christchurch, on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, New Brighton Beach is an 18-kilometer-long and wide golden sand beach.  This beach is adjacent to the South New Brighton Beach stretches from the mouth of the Waimakariri River to South Spit Reserve and has a beautiful backdrop of dunes, coastal vegetation, playgrounds, parks, and several oceanfront buildings, including a cafe and a library, creating a picturesque setting along the Pegasus Bay, which extends along the Canterbury coastline.  New Brighton Beach was established as a seaside resort town in the late 19th century and is immensely popular for its 300-meter-long pier, which is the longest ocean pier in Australasia.

New Brighton Beach, Christchurch, is home to numerous playgrounds and parks, namely New Brighton Beachside Playground, Thomson Park, South New Brighton Domain, and Broad Park.  New Brighton Beachside Playground is located on Marine Parade, near the pier, and has a large play area with musical toys, swings, slides, a huge waka, and a basketball court.  Thomson Park is located near North Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, which has a sports field, a skate park, and many picnic areas.  Another recently opened playground is the South Brighton Domain, which features a seven-meter-high climbing tower with a net that children can climb.  Lastly, the Broad Park, which also has many wooden climbing structures, a flying fox, swings, and slides.   New Brighton Beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located at the northern end of Tasman Bay within the Abel Tasman National Park in the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island, Observation Beach is a small golden sand beach.  This beach is positioned near the famous Abel Tasman Coast Track, and it has a spectacular backdrop of headlands, granite rock, and lush vegetation, creating a picturesque setting along the Torrent Bay.  Observation Beach is part of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located at the northern end of Tasman Bay within the Abel Tasman National Park in the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island, Observation Beach is a small golden sand beach.  This beach is positioned near the famous Abel Tasman Coast Track, and it has a spectacular backdrop of headlands, granite rock, and lush vegetation, creating a picturesque setting along the Torrent Bay.  Observation Beach is part of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located near Raglan town on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, Whale Bay - also known as Te Whaanga - is a 600-meter-long golden sand beach with many rocky portions.  This is one of the most popular surf beaches in Raglan, known for its natural beauty and surf culture.  It has a beautiful backdrop of the summit of Mount Karioi, hills, headlands, wild vegetation, and a coastal forest, with many tree ferns, nikau palm, kawakawa, and kowhai, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  This beach is part of Wainui Reserve Bush Park, which is a protected area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located in the West Coast region of New Zealand’s South Island, Punakaiki Beach is a small black sand beach with many rocky portions.  The black sand of Punakaiki Beach is due to the presence of high iron content that comes from the volcanic activities in the region.  This rocky beach is positioned near the famous Pancake Rock and Blowholes and has a spectacular backdrop of the lush forests, rugged cliffs, and a few oceanfront buildings, including a campground, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  Also, there is a small stream, popularly known as Pororari River, that drains into the sea near the beach, creating a beautiful contrast with the dark sand.  Punakaiki Beach is part of the Paparoa National Park and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located on the Wairarapa coast of the Wairarapa region of New Zealand's North Island, Castlepoint Beach - also known as Castlepoint Main Beach - is a three-kilometer-long golden sand beach with many rocky portions. This beach is considered of the most beautiful in New Zealand,  positioned approximately 64 kilometers east of Masterton town and has a spectacular backdrop of the famous 162-meter-high Castle Rock, the iconic Castlepoint Lighthouse, headlands, scrubland, wild vegetation, forests, and a few oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Pacific Ocean. This beach is part of a protected area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located on the eastern coast of the North Island in the Far North region of New Zealand, Maitai Bay - also known as Maitai Bay Beach - is a small, crescent-shaped, white sand beach with many rocky portions and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Northland.  This sheltered beach is positioned near the Karikari Peninsula and has a spectacular backdrop of headlands, farmland, native manuka scrubland, wild vegetation, forests, and a few oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  This beach is part of a protected area that is owned by the Maori community and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located at the northern end of Tasman Bay within the Abel Tasman National Park in the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island, Anchorage Bay - also known as Anchorage Bay Abel Tasman or Anchorage Beach - is an 800-meter-long crescent-shaped golden sand beach. This beach is positioned between a tidal estuary to the north and Pitt Head Loop Track to its south, and it has a spectacular backdrop of headlands, granite rock, lush vegetation, and several oceanfront buildings creating a picturesque setting along the Abel Tasman Coast Track near Torrent Bay. Anchorage Bay, Abel Tasman, part of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located on the Tutukaka Coast in Northland, New Zealand, Matapouri Beach is a 1.5-kilometer-long, crescent-shaped, white sand beach with many rocky portions. This sheltered beach is positioned near the famous Whale Bay and has a beautiful backdrop of hills, dunes, wild vegetation, and a coastal forest, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  The beach is positioned around the tidal estuary adjacent to Matapouri Inlet, where it meets the bay, creating a mix of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.  Matapouri Bay, New Zealand, is part of the Tutukaka Coast, which is a protected area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located on the West Coast of New Zealand, Scotts Beach is a 1.2-kilometer-long beige sand beach with many rocky portions.  This rugged beach is about three kilometers from the Kohaihai River mouth, at the western end of the famous Heaphy Track, and has a spectacular backdrop of headlands, hills, granite rocks, a campground, and lush vegetation including nikau palms, rata trees, and ferns, which together provide amazing views of the Tasman Sea.  Scotts Beach is part of the Kahurangi National Park and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty and diverse marine life of the region.

Located just north of Kawau Island in the north of the Auckland region, New Zealand, Tawharanui Peninsula Beach - also known as Tawharanui Beach - is a 1.5-kilometer-long stretch of soft, golden-white sand.  This remote beach is positioned within Tawharanui Regional Park, which is New Zealand’s first open sanctuary and has a beautiful backdrop of dunes, cliffs, farmlands, lush vegetation, and forests, creating a picturesque setting along the Omaha Bay.  Tawharanui Peninsula Beach is part of the Tawharanui Marine Reserve managed by Auckland Regional Authority and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located in the town of Raglan, on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Ngarunui Beach - also known as Ocean Beach, Main Beach, or Wainui Beach—is a long and wide black sand beach. This is one of the most popular surf beaches in Raglan, known for its black sand, which comes from volcanic activity in the region. It has a beautiful backdrop of hills, headlands, wild vegetation, and a coastal forest, with many tree ferns, nikau palm, kawakawa, and kowhai, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  This beach is part of Wainui Reserve Bush Park, which is a protected area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located on the western coast of the North Island in the Far North region of New Zealand, Ninety Mile Beach - also known as Te-Oneroa-a-Tohe - is an 88-kilometer-long, beige sand beach. The beach stretches from Ahipara Bay in the southwest to Scott Point in the northwest and has a spectacular backdrop of sand dunes, scrubland, wild vegetation, and a few oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  The beach is officially designated as a highway and is used by vehicles as a substitute for State Highway 1 north of Kaitaia, though driving conditions depend on the tides.  This beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located on the western coast of the North Island in the Far North region of New Zealand, Ninety Mile Beach - also known as Te-Oneroa-a-Tohe - is an 88-kilometer-long, beige sand beach. The beach stretches from Ahipara Bay in the southwest to Scott Point in the northwest and has a spectacular backdrop of sand dunes, scrubland, wild vegetation, and a few oceanfront buildings, creating a picturesque setting along the Tasman Sea.  The beach is officially designated as a highway and is used by vehicles as a substitute for State Highway 1 north of Kaitaia, though driving conditions depend on the tides.  This beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located near the city of Dunedin in Otago, New Zealand, Purakaunui Beach is a long and wide white sand beach with many rocky portions. This beach is tucked between two famous beaches, namely Canoe Beach and Long Beach, and has a spectacular backdrop of high, rugged cliffs and lush vegetation, creating a picturesque setting along Purakaunui Bay.  The beach is positioned around the tidal estuary adjacent to Purakaunui Inlet, where it meets the bay, creating a mix of freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.  This inlet is impacted by tidal movements, with mudflats and sandbanks exposed during low tide that connect the estuarine wetlands with the coast.  Also, Mapoutahi Pa, a historic Maori fortified village site, lies at the northern end of the beach, offering panoramic views of the coastline. This beach aims to preserve the natural beauty and ecological significance of Purakaunui Beach for future generations.

Located between the towns of Moeraki and Hampden on the Otago coast of New Zealand, Moeraki Boulders Beach - also known as Koekohe Beach - is a one-mile-long beige sand beach with many rocky portions.  The beach is known 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.

Located on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island, Hahei Beach is a one-mile-long, immensely popular white sand beach with a few pink shells.  The beach is positioned on the shores of the famous Mercury Bay, and it has a spectacular backdrop of limestone cliffs, pohutukawa trees, forests, and several oceanfront buildings, which together offer Instagram-worthy views of Te Pare Point, Whale Cave, Motueka Island, and the vast Pacific Ocean.  Also, Hahei Beach is the gateway to Cathedral Cove, New Zealand, one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural attractions.  This beach is part of the Hahei Marine Reserve, which is a protected area and is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural environment and marine life.

Located on the Eastern Bay of Plenty in the northeast coast of New Zealand's North Island, Ohope Beach is an 11-kilometer-long white sand beach, making it one of the longest beaches in New Zealand.  This beach is positioned between the town of Whakatane and Ohiwa Harbour and has a spectacular backdrop of low-lying sand dunes, coastal vegetation, and several oceanfront buildings, which together offer Instagram-worthy views of Whale Island, White Island, and the sweeping coast of East Cape.  This beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty, flora, and fauna of the region.  Ohope Beach was voted as the most-loved beach in New Zealand and also ranked among the top 10 beaches in the South Pacific in various travel polls, and it also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.