Castlepoint Main Beach

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.

Castlepoint Beach, New Zealand, does not have lifeguards but offers several amenities including restrooms, a fishing club, a few shops, several hotels, and nearby restaurants.

Castlepoint Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, snorkeling, tidepooling, hiking, camping, stargazing, picnicking, and photography. If you plan to go into the water, swimming is allowed, but we recommend being careful, as water is known to have unpredictable rip currents. The beach features a lagoon area, providing a sheltered spot for families with young children to swim. The beach is also a favorite spot for surfers due to its consistent waves. Snorkelers and divers may spot the diverse marine life that thrives in the fossil-rich limestone Castlepoint Reef's clear waters, which is a designated marine reserve, protecting its rich biodiversity of the region. There are tide pools present around the Castle Rock area that are rich with marine life, providing an excellent spot for exploration. Visitors may spot fur seals, various seabirds, and occasionally, dolphins and whales in the waters near the beach. 

If you enjoy fishing, Castlepoint Beach is known for recreational fishing, with species like snapper and kahawai being common catches. Hikers can enjoy the nearby Castlepoint Scenic Reserve hiking trails, including the Lighthouse Walk and the iconic Deliverance Cove Track, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity. If you want to enjoy camping, you may book a campsite or a cabin at the nearby Castlepoint Holiday Park & Motels. Visitors can enjoy mild temperatures year-round, but strong winds are common. The beach hosts several interesting events, including fishing competitions and a unique annual horse racing event, drawing visitors from across the country. The unique shape, crystal-clear water, recreational opportunities, and panoramic views of the beach make it a perfect location for taking the best beach photos. Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Castlepoint Beach, Northland, does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Castlepoint Beach is easy - the beach has a small parking lot located near 3 Jetty Road, Castlepoint 5889, New Zealand, which offers easy access to the beach.

The beach is named after Castle Rock, a prominent limestone reef that resembles a castle.  Also, this beach is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic coastal landmarks, the Castle Point Lighthouse.

The area was named in 1770 by Captain Cook, who observed that Castle Rock resembled the battlements of a castle.

There are many attractions near Castlepoint Beach.  The Castle Point Lighthouse is one of New Zealand's most iconic and picturesque lighthouses, which stands 52 meters above sea level, built in 1913.  The lighthouse has been guiding ships for over a century while offering sweeping views of Castlepoint Beach, the reef, and the surrounding cliffs.  Castle Rock is an iconic geological feature located on the Wairarapa coast of New Zealand that dominates the landscape.  This rock is composed of limestone and is positioned at 162 meters above sea level, which is formed from ancient marine sediments over millions of years.  This rock is significant to Maori culture and traditions, which means "faces at a window," referencing the way the rock's shadows and shapes resemble faces. Visitors can enjoy hiking, photography, and watching wildlife.  The Castlepoint Scenic Reserve is a stunning natural area renowned for its dramatic landscapes and diverse ecosystem.  It offers visitors a mix of coastal beauty, geological features, and recreational activities, including a towering 162-meter limestone rock formation that dominates the reserve.  Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including hiking, picnicking, birdwatching, tidepooling, swimming, fishing, and photography.  The Mataikona Rocks are a geological wonder known for their unique and striking appearance, shaped by millions of years of natural processes.  The rocks form a series of ridges running parallel to the coastline, creating a serene and rugged landscape.  Visitors can enjoy tidepools, photography, and watching birds.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, The Deliverance Cove Track is a moderately challenging 1.5-kilometer-long hiking trail that leads to the base of the iconic Castle Rock, offering panoramic views of the coastline and Pacific Ocean.  It meanders through a serene cove, grassy hills, and coastal landscapes.

If you get hungry, there are a few restaurants near Castlepoint Beach.  Kiwi Kai @ Castle Point is present near the beach and serves incredible seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Dining Castlepoint serves delicious salads, burgers, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.  The Shop Castlepoint Store is a small grocery shop near the beach. Tinui Cafe & Bar serves incredible pizzas, pasta, and Italian dishes.  Homewood Storeroom serves burgers, nachos, pancakes, tacos, burritos, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a Castlepoint Beach hotel, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Castlepoint Holiday Park & Motels is present right on the beach and offers many amenities, including campsites, cabins, motel units, tennis courts, communal kitchens, barbecue grill areas, wifi, and a playground.   A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park Wairarapa, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor and indoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, a tennis court, comfortable rooms, and a kitchen in all rooms.  Another moderately priced option is the 3-Star Castlepoint Hotel & Guesthouse, which has several amenities, including comfortable rooms and picnic tables.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Amble Inn Motel, which has a few amenities, including an outdoor pool, a barbecue area with picnic tables, and a garden.  If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Ica Station Homestead B&B has an outdoor pool, comfortable rooms, and a kitchen in some rooms.