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When you wander between the cities and mountains of New Zealand, you may not realize that this island nation has a coastline of 9,000 miles. Whether you want to ride the waves by yourself or walk alone on the beach, the diverse beaches here can meet almost all the needs of beach lovers.
Today, LP is here for you to take stock of 10 beautiful beaches in New Zealand. Have a chance to go to the Southern Hemisphere to catch the waves across the seasons~
Ninety Mile Beach
Epic Beach Scenery
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Ninety Mile Beach is continuously located on New Zealand’s northernmost point-the western shore of the Aupouri Peninsula. It is more appropriate if it is called “ninety kilometers beach” instead of “ninety miles”. You can see towering sand dunes from time to time along the way, and the flanks of the beach border the Aupouri Forest.
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Here you can choose to visit Cape Reinga, overlooking the endless ocean in the roaring sea breeze, can indeed create the feeling of the end of the world. This sea area is the confluence of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, which can stir up turbulent waves up to 10 meters in heavy rain. There are long-term clouds and mist around the ridge, so even on a hot day, there will be a sudden chill here.
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Different from other beaches, this is the highest place in New Zealand. In addition to fishing and swimming, the towering white sand dunes can even give you the joy of sandboarding. It is also considered an excellent place for sea fishing.
Travel information
Arrival transportation: Except for countless group tours, there is no public transportation after Pukenui. Busabout Kaitaia’s buses travel between Pukenui and Kaitaia. In addition to Far North Rd (SH1), sturdy vehicles can also travel along Ninety Mile Beach Beach. Once cars was swallowed by the tide on the soft sand, be sure to confirm the time of the tide rise and fall before departure, and avoid traveling within 2.5 hours before and after the high tide. If you get caught in quicksand, keep driving and don’t stop. Many car rental companies prohibit you from driving in the sand. If you are trapped, the car insurance will not cover you. Be sure to fill up your car before heading to the Aupouri Peninsula.
Piha Beach
Black Beach, a star with his own reality show
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If you see a surfer in Oakland in a trance, then he is probably daydreaming about Piha. This beautiful and rugged sandy beach has always been the most favorite decompression sanctuary for urban people—whether it is a day trip, a weekend gathering for teenagers, or a family vacation, Piha is the first choice for people.
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Although Piha is popular, it is also very dangerous here. There are strong winds and turbulent undersea turbulences. This is why the popular reality TV show—Piha Rescue was born. If you don’t intend to be on the TV show, then swim in the area marked by the flag. There are lifeguards here to help you in trouble.
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Travel information
Arrival transportation: There is no public transportation to Piha, but NZ Surf’n’Snow Tours will temporarily provide a shuttle service during the surf season. Go Hitch also provides shuttle services from downtown Auckland and Ponsonby to Piha on weekends.
Waiariki Beach
Don’t bring a swimsuit, but remember to bring a camera
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There is no parking lot, no ice cream carts, and no swimwear shop…wharariki Beach is located in the extension of the farewell corner. This separate area is especially suitable for walkers and thinkers.
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There are hard dune rock formations, looming rocky islands and a seal habitat at the east end. It may seem like a tempting swimming place, but be careful, the backflow is fierce.
Travel information
Golden Bay Coachlines
Arrival traffic: Golden Bay Coachlines has two buses a day from Takaka to Collingwood (25 minutes). From the farewell corner of Collingwood, you can follow the signs to wharariki Beach(6 kilometers of dirt road, another 20 minutes walk through Puponga Farm Park).
Abel Tasman Coast Track
Beach and hiking are the most beautiful hiking trail”
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It can be said that this is the most beautiful one of New Zealand’s nine major hiking trails—51 kilometers in length, with shining oceans, golden beaches, typical coastal forests and hidden surprises along the way, such as Cleopatra’s Pool. It’s almost impossible to get lost here, and you can hike with a pair of sneakers.
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However, you are likely to get your feet wet, because this trail is a long stretch of beach, and it will pass through crazy tides. In fact, the tide drop here is among the top ones in New Zealand, up to 6 meters. In Torrent Bay and Bark Bay, it’s easier and more fun to take off your shoes and walk through wet sand.
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The Anchorage bay on the road will definitely amaze you. The golden sandy beach is surrounded by lush forest, you can stop or even stay here. Tide timetables will be published along the trail, which can also be found on the website of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The regional information center also has relevant information.
Travel information
Arrival traffic: Motueka is the closest major town to Abel Tasman, and nearby Marahau is its southern gateway. The gateway to all trails can be reached via Abel Tasman Coachlines or Golden Bay Coachlines.
Hahei Beach
Stunning Church Bay”
©Image by Pete Seaward/Lonely Planet
Hahei Beach is long and charming, and the undulating island landscape in the distance is unique. Starting from the southern end of Hahei Beach, a 15-minute walk to Te Pare, a military fortress village with spectacular coastal scenery.
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Don’t miss the beautiful Cathedral Cove, which has the famous huge stone arches and natural cascading waterfalls. It is the best time to come in the early morning and dusk to avoid the most tourists. It takes about 70 minutes to walk from Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove; you can also choose to take a water taxi, which only takes 10 minutes.
©Image by Pete Seaward/Lonely Planet
You can experience kayaking near Cathedral Cove. Boating through the stone arches, caves and tunnels is the best way to experience Cathedral Bay in depth.
Travel information
Arrival traffic: Tairua Bus Company and Cathedral Cove Shuttle’s long-distance buses will stop in Hahei, but usually it must be requested at the time of booking. In the summer of the peak season, long-distance coaches depart from the ferry stop at Cook Beach to the hot spring beach and stop at Hahei on the way.
Hot Water Beach
Hot spring on the beach
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The hot spring beach is well-known, it is really special. Within 2 hours before and after low tide, you can enter the center of the beach, where a piece of sand is located before the outcropping rock, where the hot springs trickle out under the surface.
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You might as well bring a shovel, dig a hole, and then you will create your own hot spring bath, or you can rent a shovel ($5) at the Hot Water Beach Store.
Surfers stopped in front of the main beach, waiting for the chance to ride the wind and waves again and again. Traces of the Nethi Black Horde can still be found on the headland between the two beaches.
Travel information
Arrival traffic: the same way as to reach Hahei. The general hot spring beach is the bus terminal.
Manu Bay
Legendary surfing mecca
Manu Bay, Raglan New Zealand © Jun Kaneko, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dqBr
Have you seen Bruce Brown’s classic 1964 wave-by-wave movie “The Endless Summer”? This is the most famous surfing destination in New Zealand mentioned. It is a bay formed from the south of Raglan and is said to have the longest left-handed wave in the world.
Manu Bay, Raglan New Zealand © Jun Kaneko, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dqBu
The waves of the Tasman Sea hit the special angle of the coastline (the southwest corner can produce the most beautiful waves), creating neat and long waves here. There is not a lot of sand here, but the rocky wave area here is worth a try.
Manu Bay, Raglan © Dino Borelli, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dqBz
Travel information
Arrival traffic: Manu Bay is located south of Raglan and can be reached directly without public transportation. Raglan Scenic Tours operates a round-trip shuttle bus between Raglan and Hamilton, as well as direct travel to and from Auckland International Airport.
Wainui Beach
Classic beach experience
Wainui Beach © Laurabl, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dqCd
Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island: surfing, building sand castles, sunbathing… This beautiful white sand beach can provide you with the most classic casual beach experience.
Wainui Beach © Laurabl, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dqCe
Its geographical location is very special, because it is close to the international date line, here you can see the first ray of sunshine in the world every day. Many tourists come for the sunrise, and the waves here are also great.
Gone swimming – Wainui Beach,Gisborne © Sham’s Personal Favourites, CC0 1.0, http://dwz.date/dqCn
Travel information
Arrival traffic: Wainui is located in Gisborne, connected by the Pacific Coast Highway (SH35). The best way to get there is by car. Gisborne Airport is 3 kilometers west of the city. Air New Zealand flights between Auckland and Wellington, and then can reach other destinations. Sunair Aviation departs from Gisborne and has direct flights to Rotorua, Tauranga and Napier.
New Chum‘s Beach
One of the most beautiful undeveloped beaches
New Chums Beach © Awful N°4, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dqEe
The pristine beach off the beaten track-New Chams is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand, and it is still not fully developed.
New Chums Beach © Richard, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dqEa
Compared to other beaches, it is a little bit difficult to get here, you need to walk along the rocky beach for 30 minutes. However, the beauty after climbing over the rocks will definitely make you feel worthwhile.
Travel information
Arrival traffic: Take SH25 (Route 25) at the fork of Te Rerenga all the way along the harbor to Whangapoua, and walk along the rocky beach for 30 minutes.
Karekare Beach
Spiritual beach
Panatahi Island, Karekare © russelstreet, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dsnT
Few beaches are more distinctive than the beaches of Karekare. Those who tend to metaphysical meditators inevitably describe this beach as “spiritual” and “contemplative”.
Karekare © Andrew Lynch, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dsnV
This famous beach is pristine and magnificent. It has been on the big screen several times and has become a location for elegant and vulgar films, from the Oscar-winning film “The Piano” to the movie “Xena, Warrior Princess” are all filmed here.
Karekare © Geof Wilson, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dsnY
The fastest path from the parking lot to the black sand beach involves wading a small river. Karekare is listed as one of the most dangerous beaches in the country because of the strong waves and ubiquitous ground fissures, so don’t try to swim here unless there are lifeguards patrolling the beach (usually only in summer).
Karekare Falls © Stefan Marks, CC BY-NC 2.0, http://dwz.date/dspa
Cross the bridge along the road, and then go up along Lone Kauri Rd for about 100 meters, and you will see a small path along the path to the beautiful Karekare Falls. There are lush foliage here, and it is a good place for a picnic.
Travel information
Arrival traffic: There are no shops of any kind in Karekare, and there is no public transportation. To get here, you have to follow Scenic Dr and Piha Rd until you see the sign to Karekare Rd. Take the fork to reach.
Surfing in New Zealand
©Image by Rob Tucker/Venture Taranaki Trust
New Zealand has a variety of very good waves, suitable for beginners and veteran surfers. As long as you are willing not to take the unusual path, you will find many great waves.
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Before you arrive, it is necessary to do a little homework in advance:
Surfing New Zealand (www.surfingnz.co.nz) recommends several surfing schools on its official website.
Consider buying the “New Zealand Surfing Guide” written by Mike Bhana.
Surf.co.nz (www.surf.co.nz) provides a lot of great information about surfing locations.
©Image by Ellen Ryan/Lonely Planet
New Zealand’s water temperature and climate vary greatly from north to south. If you want to increase comfort while surfing, please wear a surf suit. In the North Island, wear a spring outfit in summer to get into the water. In the South Island, a 2 to 3 mm thick winter suit is needed. In winter, a 2 to 3 mm thick winter suit is also needed on the North Island, while a 3 to 5 mm thick winter suit is needed on the South Island, and it needs to be fully armed.
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