Top 10 Stunning Beaches in New Zealand

Stretching over 15,000km (9320 miles), New Zealand is a paradise for beach enthusiasts. Its varied coastlines offer everything from relaxing days under the sun to thrilling activities like swimming, kayaking, and surfing.

Discovering a beautiful beach in New Zealand is a breeze, but you can refine your search with our selection of the country’s top beaches.

1. Piha

Known for its challenging surf and powerful currents, Piha proudly holds the title of Auckland’s most beloved beach. Relax on its warm black sands, enjoy the crashing white waves (always swim between the flags), and explore the beach and nearby trails for stunning views of Lion Rock and Taitomo Island.

2. Anchorage

Choosing the finest beach in Abel Tasman National Park is a challenge, as its coastline features breathtaking gems one after another. Anchorage stands out not only for its stunning natural scenery—a gently sloping curve of golden sand bordered by lush greenery—but also for its proximity to a lovely section of the coastal Great Walk.

Planning tip: You can stay overnight at the conservation campsite or hut, giving you time to take a quick detour to the enchanting Cleopatra’s Pool.

3. Ninety Mile Beach

While it's a little-known fact, the renowned Ninety Mile Beach on the North Island actually measures just 88km (54.6 miles). However, you won’t feel cheated here. Stretching from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua)—New Zealand’s spiritual northern tip—this breathtaking expanse of sand and ocean is framed by massive dunes.

Planning tip: A fantastic place to access this seemingly endless beach just before the Cape is the Te Paki Stream car park. A path from here leads to the beach and northward towards Scott Point.

4. Scott’s Beach

As the stunning finale of Kahurangi National Park’s multiday Heaphy Track, this secluded beach can also be accessed from the northern end of the West Coast Road. The journey itself is remarkable: take an incredibly scenic drive through Karamea to Kōhaihai, the camping reserve at the end of the road nestled in a beautiful estuary. From there, you can hike into the national park, crossing a low hill to reach Scott’s Beach. Often enveloped in a salty mist, this enchanting locale showcases rugged rocks, nikau palm forests, and powerful waves crashing against a driftwood-strewn shore.

5. New Chums Beach

Gorgeous beaches abound on the Coromandel Peninsula, but New Chums stands out as our top choice due to its remoteness. It’s only a half-hour walk from the Whangapoua car park, but the rock-hopping and scrambling involved can deter many from making the trek. The reward is a beach of golden sands, a sparkling sea, and gnarled pōhutukawa trees adorned with vibrant red blooms around Christmas—its beauty is enough to bring tears to your eyes. Plus, you might have the entire place to yourself.

6. Ngarunui

Close to Raglan, the area is known for its surf culture, with dedicated surfers flocking to Manu Bay, rumored to have the world’s longest left-hand break. For those less experienced, Ngarunui nearby offers friendlier waves, making it safer for swimming, especially from October to April when lifeguards patrol the beach. It becomes a lively spot on sunny summer days, particularly when students from the Raglan Surf School take to the waves.

7. Wainui, Eastland

Translating to “big water” in Māori, it’s no wonder that New Zealand has numerous locations named Wainui. Just up the coast from Gisborne, this Wainui is exceptional: it provides excellent swimming and a fantastic surf break, surrounded by dunes and bush reserves. Wainui is home to a tight-knit community of ocean enthusiasts, including dedicated members of the surf-lifesaving club.

Planning tip: For a delicious meal, visit Zephyr Wainui, where you can enjoy plant-based smoothies and bowls.

8. Pūrākaunui Bay

Located sixteen kilometers (10 miles) from the nearest town, Owaka (population 300), this is a true hidden gem in the tranquil Catlins, Southland. It boasts little fame aside from a minor (and CGI) appearance in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005). And thankfully so, as Pūrākaunui is all about serenity. The beach is stunning, framed by towering cliffs, dotted with native bush, and features a large grassy reserve.

Planning tip: There’s wonderfully little to do here except enjoy swimming when the surf is calm, and surfing when the waves are up. It's the ideal spot for complete relaxation.

9. Wharariki Beach

Get ready for a breathtaking surprise after a 20-minute walk through the farm in western Golden Bay. Boom! Majestic dunes descend to the wild West Coast sea. Jagged rock islands rise from the shallow waters, battered by crashing waves. You might spot seals playing nearby, and the light dances on the wet, rippled sands.

Planning tip: Wharariki Beach is too perilous for swimming, so skip the beach towel. Instead, try to visit in the early morning or late afternoon, and be sure to bring your camera.

10. Cathedral Cove

The stunning Cathedral Cove, renowned for its massive stone arch and natural waterfall shower, is an iconic beach in New Zealand that attracts large crowds. However, due to storm damage in 2023, the area has become prone to landslides, leading the Department of Conservation (DOC) to close the walking path to the beach. You can still access the cove by boat or kayak, but be cautious as passing under the famous arch is currently unsafe due to the risk of rockfall. Always check DOC's latest online updates before planning your visit to Cathedral Cove.

Planning tip: If the DOC reopens the walking route and deems the beach safe again, make sure to bring your mask, snorkel, and fins: Gemstone Bay features a snorkeling trail where you can spot large snapper, crayfish, and stingrays. To avoid the crowds, the best times to enjoy Cathedral Cove are early morning or late afternoon.