Black Sand Beaches in New Zealand
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 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.