As a set of islands with 15 thousand kilometers of coastline, it’s no surprise that New Zealand does beaches well. The varied climate and extreme seasons have created a vast array of different landscapes: in the same country you can find rugged windswept rock formations or vast tropical-style bays. Read on for some of my favourite NZ beaches and where to find them:
Taylor’s Mistake
Located just on the edge of Christchurch, Taylor’s Mistake makes for the perfect day trip from the city. Quieter than it’s famous neighbour Sumner, this little bay is perfect for surfers seeking some less crowded waves, or if you just fancy chilling on the beach in a nice sheltered cove. You can walk along the coastal path here up to Godley Head, which affords fantastic views of the coastline, and you’ll pass lots of pretty little “baches” on the way (traditional little seaside holiday homes).
Cathedral Cove
If you’re a beach lover you won’t be disappointed by the Coromandel Peninsula. Its sheltered location on the east coast of the north island means that this part of New Zealand has some of the best weather and warmest sea temperatures in the country: perfect for a holiday lounging on the beach. The prize for the most beautiful beach in the area has to go to Cathedral Cove, where you can walk under a natural archway in the rock to reach a secluded bay. Just make sure to visit at low tide and keep an eye on the time so you don’t get stuck. You’ll usually have a two-hour window either side of low tide when it’s safe to visit.
Abel Tasman
It’s impossible to pick just one beach in the Abel Tasman area because all of them are simply perfect! Catch a boat out to this northern paradise on New Zealand’s south island and you’ll honestly think you’ve been transported to the Mediterranean – just without all the hustle and bustle and development. The whole area in one giant national park, and even in the middle of summer you’ll often have entire beaches to yourself. You can either choose to hike the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, or just visit the beaches by water taxi for the day from nearby Kaiteriteri or Motueka.
Wharariki
If you think this beach looks familiar it’s because it is! Wharariki Beach was the Microsoft lock screen and desktop image for Windows 10, gracing laptops all over the world for years. Another one best visited at low tide, make sure to bring a jacket as the beach’s exposed location can mean that it gets pretty windy! If you’re lucky you’ll also get to see seal pups playing in the rockpools on the beach – just don’t get too close as they can be dangerous if frightened. Wharariki is located on the very northernmost tip of the south island – about an hour’s drive from the hippie paradise of Takaka.
Piha
The great thing about New Zealand is that even if you’re right in the centre of Auckland, you’re still only an hour from a beautiful beach! Piha is popular with Aucklanders fleeing the city at weekends, but if you can visit during the week you’ll have it pretty much to yourself. At its best it’s a beautiful place to chill out in the sun, but even at its worst it’s a stunning windswept bay with impressive rock formations: a photographer’s dream. Just be careful if you go swimming or surfing as the sea here can be notoriously treacherous.
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