Ninety Mile Beach(Te Oneroa-a-Tohe)

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.

Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand, does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly.

Ninety Mile Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, snorkeling, driving, sandboarding, surfcasting, hiking, and photography.  If you plan to go into the water, the waters are generally calm, but we recommend being careful, as water is known to have unpredictable rip currents.  If you enjoy surfing, Ninety Mile Beach tides offer great opportunities for surfers due to its frequent windy weather.  Despite being a popular beach, this one is known for the world-famous left-hand surf breaks. 

Snorkelers and divers may spot the diverse marine life in its clear waters.  Visitors can enjoy surfcasting for tuatua (a native shellfish) in the sand at low tide.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Depending on the time of year, visitors may spot manta rays, sharks, whales, reef sharks, New Zealand dotterels, and oystercatchers.  

The sandy terrain of Ninety Mile Beach allows visitors to enjoy four-wheel drive, but we advise adhering to speed limits and being cautious of tidal timings and Ninety Mile Beach weather since conditions can change rapidly with shifting sands and high tides.  This beach hosts many interesting events, including an automobile racing competition and a five-day fishing competition, where hundreds of anglers surf cast from the beach in hope of catching the largest snapper, an indigenous fish to New Zealand.  The beach attracts a large influx of visitors, especially during the summer.  Dogs are allowed on the beach if they are on a leash, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.

Ninety Mile Beach does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Ninety Mile Beach is easy - the beach has a small parking lot located near Northland 0484, New Zealand, which offers easy access to the beach. 

If you want to take Ninety Mile Beach tours from Kaitaia or Paihia, you can rent a car or catch a daily coach tour to explore this famous beach and the Cape Reinga.

The Maori name for Ninety Mile Beach is Te Oneroa-a-Tohe, meaning "The Long Beach of Tohe." According to Maori legend, the beach was named after Tohe, a chief who traveled its length searching for his daughter.

Also, the length of Ninety Mile Beach is approximately 88 kilometers (55 miles long). Despite its name, it falls short of ninety miles due to a historical miscalculation by early European settlers.

There are many attractions near Ninety Mile Beach.  Cape Reinga is located at the northernmost tip of New Zealand's North Island, where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet.  It is one of New Zealand's most iconic landmarks and considered a spiritually significant place for the Maori people.  In addition, there is a lighthouse at Cape Reinga, built in 1941, that stands as a beacon for ships navigating the treacherous waters.  Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the vast ocean, rugged cliffs, and pristine beaches.  Te Paki Sand Dunes - also known as Giant Sand Dunes - are home to towering dunes that can reach heights of up to 100 meters, creating a desert-like landscape with stunning views of the surrounding area.  These massive sand dunes are ever-shifting sands perfect for sandboarding, photography, and exploration.  They provide an adrenaline-filled adventure close to the beach.

Gumdiggers Park showcases the history of gumdiggers, who excavated kauri gum (fossilized tree resin) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Visitors can take guided tours to explore authentic gum-digging sites and tools used by diggers and learn about the historical significance of the area.  The Butler Point Whaling Museum has a gallery that displays an extensive collection of artifacts, documents, and related memorabilia that provide intriguing insight into the history and heritage of the whaling industry of the region.  In addition, it hosts interesting educational programs and events for all age groups throughout the year.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, the Mokaikai Recreation Reserve is home to lush native forests, diverse wildlife, and tranquil walking trails, where visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including picnicking, hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography, in this tranquil setting.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Ninety Mile Beach.  Sandbar & Restaurant serves amazing salads, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  The Wild Belle Restaurant serves salads, pasta, pizzas, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.  Pukenui Pacific serves delicious seafood.  Fish and chips serves delicious food.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant nearby, The Burger Bus serves incredible burgers.

If you are looking for Ninety Mile Beach hotels, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Whatuwhiwhi TOP 10 Holiday Park is one hour and 28 minutes away by car and offers a few amenities, including comfortable rooms and a kitchen in some rooms.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star, Golden Sand and Driftwood Beach Front Accommodation, which offers a few amenities, including a hot tub, a fitness center, a kitchen in all rooms, and an outdoor seating area.  Another moderately priced option is the 3-Star Tekao Lodge, which has several amenities, including a garden and free Wifi.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Pukenui Lodge Motel, which has a few amenities, including an outdoor pool, a garden, and a barbecue grill area.  If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Ngapae Holiday Park - also known as 90 Mile Beach Camp - has a swimming pool, a playground, cabins, free Wi-Fi, and dining areas.