Totaranui Bay Beach

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.

Totaranui Bay Beach does not have lifeguards but has several other amenities, including restrooms, showers, drinking water, a campground, a picnic area, a boat launch, and hiking trails.

Totaranui Bay Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, surfing, fishing, kayaking, watching wildlife, bushwalking, hiking, waterskiing, biking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and photography.  If you plan to go into the water, this naturally sheltered bay has a safe area to swim.  The water near the beach is calm and shallow, which is ideal for canoes, kayaks, and small boats.  Snorkelers and divers may spot the diverse marine life that thrives in its clear waters.  At low tide, the beach reveals expansive tidal flats ideal for exploration.  If you enjoy camping, you can book a campsite at Totaranui Campground or Anapai Bay Campsite that offers an amazing camping experience.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby Abel Tasman Coast Track, which offers unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Interestingly, this beach also serves as a starting or finishing point for the renowned Abel Tasman Track.  In addition, there are many interpretive signs around the area that provide information about the local ecology and history.  This beach is known for its pristine white pebbles, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and being one of the most secluded and less crowded beaches on the island, offering tranquility. Visitors often spot dolphins, seals, and various native birds, including tui, weka, and bellbirds, in the surrounding waters.  Totaranui Bay Beach is renowned for its pristine waters, striking rock formations, and stunning vistas, rendering it an ideal location for capturing remarkable Totaranui Campground photos.  Dogs are not allowed here, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Totaranui Beach, New Zealand, offers an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Totaranui Bay Beach is easy - the beach has a parking lot located near Abel Tasman Drive, Tasman 7183, New Zealand, which offers easy access to the beach.  For directions, you may refer to the Totaranui Campground map.

The beach's name, "Totaranui," means "large totara trees" in Maori, referring to the native totara trees that once flourished here. Also, Totaranui has historical significance for the Maori, who used the area for seasonal fishing and food gathering.

There are many attractions near Totaranui Bay Beach.  Abel Tasman National Park is the smallest national park of New Zealand, spread over 22,530 hectares, but it is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, golden sand beaches, tidal estuaries, hiking trails, campsites, lush forests, native bushlands, and clear turquoise waters.  It is an ideal spot for relaxation, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, boating, and picnicking.  The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a 60-kilometer-long, immensely popular hiking trail positioned within New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park, which stretches from Marahau in the south to Wainui in the north, with many inland tracks.  This moderate hike typically takes three to five days and passes through golden beaches, inlets, tidal crossings, suspension bridges, and lush native forests.  This track offers several amenities, including huts, campsites, and water taxis.  It’s perfect for nature lovers seeking scenic coastal views and outdoor adventure.

Split Apple Rock is an iconic granite rock formation located off Kaiteriteri Beach at the southern edge of Abel Tasman National Park that resembles a perfectly halved apple, with two symmetrical sections, making it a popular natural attraction for photographers, kayakers, and nature lovers.  Visitors can take boat or kayak tours to view this natural wonder.  Wainui Falls is a 20-meter-high waterfall positioned near Golden Bay within Abel Tasman National Park that cascades into a picturesque pool where visitors can take a refreshing dip.  Visitors can access this waterfall via an easy hiking trail that winds through lush native bushes, a swing bridge, and follows the Wainui River, which offers a tranquil escape into nature.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Tonga Island Marine Reserve is a protected area known for its golden sand beaches and sheltered coves spread over 4535 acres that offers a unique opportunity to experience New Zealand’s vibrant marine ecosystems along the coast of Abel Tasman National Park and is home to a variety of marine species, including blue cod, snapper, triplefins, dolphins, seals, starfish, crayfish, and sponges.  This reserve is known for its golden sand beaches and sheltered coves, where visitors can enjoy many activities, including snorkeling, diving, kayaking, boating, and watching wildlife.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Totaranui Bay Beach. Totos Cafe & Pizzeria serves incredible seafood, meat, and vegetarian pizzas.  The Dangerous Kitchen serves delicious salads, pizzas, falafels, burritos, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.  The Wholemeal Cafe serves incredible salads, burgers, seafood, poultry, and meat dishes.  Courtyard Cafe serves amazing soups, pancakes, burgers, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant nearby, Roots Bar serves delicious meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a Totaranui Bay Beach hotel, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Awaroa Lodge is 18 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including an outdoor seating area, a hot tub, a cafe, and a restaurant.   A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star The Sandcastle Seaview Cottage Accommodation, which offers a few amenities, including comfortable rooms and a kitchen in all rooms.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Ratanui Lodge, which has several amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a garden, and a fitness room.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Waitapu Springs B&B, which has a few amenities, including an indoor pool, a barbecue area, and comfortable rooms.  If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Anatoki Lodge Motel has an outdoor pool, comfortable rooms, and a kitchen in some rooms.