12 BEST Beaches in the Coromandel 🏖️

Last Updated: 8 December, 2024

Our Favourite Beaches in the Coromandel

We Went There: Honest Feedback on Must-Visit Beaches

Travellers looking to do some beachcombing in the North Island should seriously consider heading to the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel is one of the most breathtaking coastal regions in New Zealand, with an array of sweeping white-sand beaches fringed with lush native forest or sculpted white cliffs. The best beaches for swimming, surfing and feeling the sand between your toes lie on the east coast of the Coromandel. Surf lifeguards and volunteers only operate in summer, so note that for safe swimming. With all that out of the way, let’s get to the Coromandel beaches you can’t miss!

Side note: Our insights come from experienced travel writers who have visited these beaches, as well as a few reputable recommendations. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us. While you’re here, you might also be interested in 20 Coromandel Must-Dos and 10 Best Boutique Accommodations in the Coromandel.

1. New Chum Beach (Wainuiototo)

There’s plenty of space for everyone on this breathtaking white sandy beach accessed by a hiking trail. The beach is good for swimming, surfing and walking. Access to the beach begins from the north end of Wangapoua Beach, where you cross a stream and walk over some rocky headlands. See the directions on the Department of Conservation website. From the headlands, you’ll get stunning beach views before going down through pohutukawa forest to the sandy shores. For more walks in the area, take a look at the 20 Awesome Hikes in The Coromandel.

Location: The walk starts on the north end of Whangapoua Beach, approximately 36 km (22 mi) from Whitianga.

2. Cathedral Cove (Mautohe)

This beach needs no introduction, as you have probably seen photos of this picturesque beach backed with white cliffs and split by a magnificent archway. From Grange Road (drop-off only), follow a 30-40-minute walking track along the coastal cliffside before descending into Mautohe Cathedral Cove. Alternatively, boat cruises and kayaking tours are an easier way to check out this iconic beach. We highly recommend Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours for an active experience at the joy of a natural pace from our own experience. Alternatively, Mercury Bay Discoveries for a comfortable catamaran experience.

Location: Mautohe Cathedral Cove Walkway – Grange Road, Hahei. Note that parking is not permitted at Grange Road. Paid car parking is available at Cathedral Cove Adventures, 150 Lees Road, Hahei. Cathedral Cove Kayaks – Hahei Beach, 2 Hahei Beach Road, Hahei. Mercury Bay Discoveries – 1 The Esplanade, Whitianga.

3. Hot Water Beach

Two hours on either side of low tide, bathe in your very own hot pool at Hot Water Beach, thanks to a natural hot spring on the surface. Dig a hole with spades hired from the local holiday park or general store and mix the hot spring water with the cool ocean water for a comfortable little hot pool. For more thermal spring experiences, check out the 10 Free Natural Hot Springs in New Zealand.

Location: State Highway 23, Whenuakite.

4. Whiritoa Beach

A photographer’s dream, Wiritoa Beach is a picturesque beach backed by the tiny town of Whiritoa, which is mainly made up of holiday homes and a small general store. Stop here to fish, surf, swim, snorkel, and, of course, soak in the scenery.

Location: Whiritoa.

5. Cooks Beach

This beautiful crescent-shaped white sandy beach stretches approximately 3 km (1.9 mi). Cooks Beach is a popular destination for boaties, swimmers, surfers and walkers.

Location: Purangi Road, Purangi.

6. Hahei Beach

Before visiting Cathedral Cove, stop by this stunning beach on the edge of a marine reserve. Hahei Beach is 1.5 km (0.9 mi) long and offers good swimming, boating and surfcasting. Kayaking tours to Cathedral Cove also depart here with Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours, as do boat tours with Hahei Explorer.

Location: Hahei.

7. Kuaotunu Beach

Pick up an ice cream from the cafe and walk across to the beach on the shores of Kuaotunu. With 2 km (1.2 mi) of sandy shores, it’s a great place for a stroll via the Black Jack Track, swimming and fishing. Watch out for dotterels nesting here, and keep an eye on the water for dolphins swimming by.

Location: Kuaotunu.

8. Otama and Opito Bay

These two quiet white sandy beaches are a great escape from the crowds. The beaches have safe swimming areas and are popular for surfcasting. We also recommend heading to Opito Point to do the Opito Point Pā Walk, as listed in the 10 Best Walks in Whitianga & Hahei.

Location: Black Jacks Road, off State Highway 45 between Matarangi and Waitaia Bay.

9. Whangamata Beach

Further south on the Coromandel Peninsula is the cool little town of Whangamata. The beach here spans a whopping 6 km (3.7 mi), with many entry points to the beach. Find cafes, ice cream shops, stand-up paddleboard and surfboard hire, kayak hire and much more. For more inspiration on what to do here, look at the 5 Best Things to Do in Whangamata.

Location: Whangamata.

10. Opoutere Beach

Nature lovers, don’t miss Opoutere Beach at the entrance of the Wharekawa Harbour. The shores and sandspit are home to endangered bird species like the New Zealand dotterel. You can enjoy the beach along a 45-minute return walk across the sandspit via a boardwalk, as described in the 20 Best Hikes in the Coromandel.

Location: Oputuere Road, north of Whangamata, off State Highway 25.

11. Waihi Beach

Enjoy 9 km (5.5 mi) of golden sand beach at this popular Kiwi holiday destination. It’s one of the safest surf beaches in New Zealand, where surf lessons and hire are available. Otherwise, Waihi Beach is a great place to enjoy classic beach activities. What’s more, the sunrise from the beach is one of the best we’ve seen nationwide! See more experiences nearby in the 10 Best Things to Do in Waihi.

Location: Waihi Beach Road, Waihi, just off State Highway 2.

12. Pauanui Beach

Last on our list is a beach recommended by our readers! Pauanui Beach spans approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) along the coast of the seaside town of Pauanui. The beach has beginner-friendly surf breaks, as well as a right-hand break for the more experienced. There’s also safe swimming on the beach, which is patrolled by coastguards in summer (make sure to swim between the flags). For a great beach view, do the Pauanui Trig Track, as explained in the 5 Best Things to Do in Tairua & Pauanui.

Location: Pauanui

More About the Coromandel

That’s it for our guide to the Coromandel; for more information about this stunning peninsula, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Guide to the Coromandel.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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