Best Beaches in New Zealand

Looking for the best beaches in New Zealand?

If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy a perfect beach holiday, you should consider going to the newest country on earth – New Zealand.

This amazing country is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world that lie below a picturesque mountainous topography that features glorious, untouched indigenous forests, breathtaking waterfalls and stunning lakes.

Beaches NZ attract millions of tourists from across the globe every year, and you will simply love to be counted among this lucky group. The only problem you will have is choosing specific beaches in New Zealand where you can enjoy your holiday. This is because the country has so many remarkable beaches stretching from north to south.

Fortunately, I’ve made this job easier for you, and here are the five New Zealand beaches that are considered to be among the best, not just in New Zealand, but in the rest of the world.

Best beaches in New Zealand

1. Cathedral Cove, Coromandel 

This exotic-looking beach in New Zealand’s North Island can only be accessed by boat, sea kayak or foot from the town of Hahei. However, you do not have to worry about getting tired since it is just half-an-hour walk distance from this Coromandel town. The Cathedral Cove New Zealand beach is considered one of the best places where you can go diving and snorkeling, especially at the Stingray and Gemstone bays. It is also surrounded by a national marine reserve, which you can take time to explore and discover the wonderful, diverse New Zealand marine life.

Check out these Cathedral Cove activities.

2. Raglan, Waikato 

The magical Raglan beach is an hour’s drive from the city of Hamilton. It is regarded as one of the best beaches in New Zealand where you can go surfing. In fact, it ranks among the top left-hand breaks on the planet. Aside from catching waves, this beach is a perfect place for para-gliding and sport fishing. The fantastic town of Raglan also many great dining places, pubs and cafes where you can enjoy live music as you watch cool, beautiful sunsets.

Book a private surfing lesson here.

3. Cannibal Bay, Catlins

This breathtaking beach lies on the south-east of the South Island’s rugged coastline. You can access this amazing beach from either Dunedin or Invercargill. While on a day trip at cannibal bay, you will get a chance to spot fabulous New Zealand wildlife, including elephant seals, fur seals and the rare yellow-eyed penguin. The highly scenic bays and water falls will also keep your camera busy.

4. Papamoa Beach, Bay of plenty 

This beach is the quieter version of the hugely popular Mt. Maunganui Beach. It takes approximately 30 minutes to drive to the Papamoa beach from Tauranga town. Some of the activities you can enjoy here include, sport fishing, surfcasting and blokarting – an indigenous invention, which is more like land-based yachting. If you love sailing and speed, you will certainly enjoy blokarting.

5. Karekare Beach, West Auckland

This beach is famous for its unique black sand. It is located about an hour’s drive from Auckland. The film – The Piano, was shot on this very beach. If you are looking for a romantic beach getaway, the Karekare beach is a perfect choice. The dark, cool mood of the beach, which is enhanced by the charcoal-black sand and grey-brown cliffs gives the landscape a sentimental atmosphere that will leave a permanent impact on you.

We love this luxury Karekare holiday home. It’s perfect for a family holiday or trip with friends, featuring three-bedrooms and just a 10-minute walk to the beach!

Book here.