New Zealand - all beaches

Choose the best one from 440 beaches
415
Good for Relax beaches
See all
97
Pet friendly beaches
See all

About New Zealand

The gentle sea with the purest water and the magnificent sandy beaches of New Zealand attract more and more tourists yearly. The crystal turquoise color of the seawater sets the level of your vacation somewhere between stunning and perfect. So if you are looking for the perfect sea, this is your place!

Popular destinations

view the best beach places

North island

North island

291 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Natural shadow
South island

South island

147 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Natural shadow
Auckland

Auckland

86 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Natural shadow
Northland

Northland

76 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach
Tasman

Tasman

51 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Secluded relax
Waikato

Waikato

43 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Natural shadow
Otago

Otago

30 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Natural shadow
Canterbury

Canterbury

29 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Natural shadow
Wellington

Wellington

26 beaches
Cliffs • Wild beach • Good for Kayaking
Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty

24 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Natural shadow
West Coast

West Coast

17 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Wild beach
Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay

16 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach
Gisborne

Gisborne

12 beaches
Cliffs • Natural shadow • Wild beach
Marlborough

Marlborough

10 beaches
Picturesque • Wild beach • Good for Kayaking
Taranaki

Taranaki

8 beaches
Picturesque • Cliffs • Natural shadow
Southland

Southland

7 beaches
Cliffs • Wild beach • Good for Kayaking
Manawatu-Whanganui

Manawatū-Whanganui

4 beaches
Cliffs • Wild beach • Kite or windsurfing
Nelson

Nelson

4 beaches
Good for Kayaking • Kite or windsurfing • Good for Sup surfing
See all
New Zealand Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

On map
Sumner Beach
Sumner Beach
Sumner Beach
Good for Relax

Sumner Beach

Lyttelton 5.1 km
Very good
8.8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Crowded in season • Large low tide
4.3 Amenities index
Takapuna Beach
Takapuna Beach
Takapuna Beach
Good for Relax

Takapuna Beach

Auckland 7.2 km
Very good
8.7
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
5.1 Amenities index
Piha Beach
Piha Beach
Piha Beach
Good for Relax

Piha Beach

Piha 0.2 km
Very good
8.5
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Crowded in season • Large low tide • Strong current
2.7 Amenities index
Tata Beach
Tata Beach
Tata Beach
Good for Relax

Tata Beach

Tata Beach 0.1 km
Very good
8.5
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Sand bottom
2.8 Amenities index
Ngarunui Beach
Ngarunui Beach
Ngarunui Beach
Good for Relax

Ngarunui Beach

Rangipu 2.1 km
Very good
8.4
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Easy access • Gray sand • Crowded in season • Large low tide
3 Amenities index
Taylors Mistake Beach
Taylors Mistake Beach
Taylors Mistake Beach
Good for Relax

Taylors Mistake Beach

Lyttelton 5 km
Very good
8.4
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Crowded in season • Large low tide
2.8 Amenities index
View all 440 beaches

Popular types of New Zealand beaches

Sand
Sand
Pebble
Pebble
Fine pebble
Fine pebble
Rocks
Rocks
Natural shadow
Natural shadow
Pet friendly
Pet friendly
Beaches in small bays
Beaches in small bays
Long beaches
Long beaches
Wild
Wild
Good for Relax
Good for Relax
Kite or windsurfing
Kite or windsurfing
Sup-surfing
Sup-surfing
Surfing
Surfing
See all

Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 443 beaches in the country.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in New Zealand.

Most beautiful beaches of New Zealand

Cathedral Cove Beach

Cathedral Cove Beach
8.7
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Picturesque
New Zealand, Hahei 1.8 km
Jacks Bay

Jacks Bay
8.6
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Easy access, Bright sand
New Zealand, Pounawea 2.9 km
Fletcher Beach

Fletcher Beach
8.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Easy access, Gray sand & pebble
New Zealand, Fletcher Bay 0.2 km
Allans Beach

Allans Beach
8.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Easy access
New Zealand, Sandymount 4.6 km
Lonely Bay

Lonely Bay
8.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Easy access, Bright shell sand
New Zealand, Cooks Beach 1.4 km
Canoe Beach

Canoe Beach
8.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
New Zealand, Michies Crossing 2 km
See all

Quitest and lonely beaches in New Zealand

Te Henga Beach

Te Henga Beach
8.6
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access
New Zealand, Te Henga Bethells Beach 0.7 km
Curio Bay

Curio Bay
8.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand, Turquoise water
New Zealand, Curio Bay 0.4 km
Cheltenham Beach

Cheltenham Beach
8.5
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
New Zealand, Auckland 5.2 km
Medlands Beach

Medlands Beach
8.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand, Turquoise pure water
New Zealand, Okupu 5.3 km
Te Pukatea Beach

Te Pukatea Beach
8.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Bright fine sand
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 1.6 km
Aramoana Beach

Aramoana Beach
8.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise water
New Zealand, Aramoana 0.3 km
See all

Sandy beaches in New Zealand

Whangapoua Beach

Whangapoua Beach
8.4
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand, Turquoise pure water, Fine sand bottom
New Zealand, Whangapoua 0.4 km
Split Apple Rock Beach

Split Apple Rock Beach
8.4
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Easy access
New Zealand, Marahau 1.6 km
Tapotupotu Beach

Tapotupotu Beach
8.3
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand
New Zealand, Karatia (Thoms Landing) 17.2 km
Westwood Recreation Beach

Westwood Recreation Beach
8.3
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand, Turquoise water
New Zealand, Ocean View 0.3 km
Ahipara Beach

Ahipara Beach
8.3
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright fine sand
New Zealand, Karirikura 0.8 km
Anapai Beach

Anapai Beach
8.3
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque
New Zealand, Totaranui 2.2 km
See all

Secluded beaches in New Zealand

Observation Beach

Observation Beach
8.1
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Secluded relax, Bright fine sand
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 2.3 km
Falls River Beach

Falls River Beach
7.9
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Secluded relax
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 2.1 km
Torrent Bay Beach I

Torrent Bay Beach I
7.9
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Secluded relax
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 1 km
Mosquito Bay Beach

Mosquito Bay Beach
7.8
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque, Secluded relax
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 3.8 km
Boundary Bay Beach

Boundary Bay Beach
7.6
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Secluded relax, Bright fine sand
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 1 km
See all

Remote beaches in New Zealand

Mutton Beach

Mutton Beach
8.2
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Bright sand
New Zealand, Totaranui 3.5 km
Anawhata Beach

Anawhata Beach
8.1
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque
New Zealand, Te Henga Bethells Beach 3.5 km
Homunga Beach

Homunga Beach
8
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque
New Zealand, Waihi Beach 5.6 km
Akersten Bay Beach

Akersten Bay Beach
7.9
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Bright fine sand
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 2.9 km
Stilwell Bay Beach

Stilwell Bay Beach
7.9
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Picturesque
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 3.2 km
Coquille Bay Beach

Coquille Bay Beach
7.7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Bright sand
New Zealand, Marahau 2.5 km
See all

Best beaches for snorkelling in New Zealand

Hahei Beach

Hahei Beach
8.8
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
New Zealand, Hahei 0.2 km
Little Bay Beach

Little Bay Beach
8.3
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water, Sand bottom
New Zealand, Waikawau 0.4 km
Anaura Beach

Anaura Beach
8.2
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water, Sand bottom
New Zealand, Hinemaurea Marae 1.9 km
Kairakau Beach

Kairakau Beach
7.9
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water, Sand bottom
New Zealand, Kairakau Beach 0.5 km
Waiwera Beach

Waiwera Beach
7.9
Free entrance, Amenities beach, Picturesque, Easy access, Bright sand
New Zealand, Waiwera 0.4 km
Arkles Bay Beach

Arkles Bay Beach
7.4
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water, Sand bottom
New Zealand, Wade Heads 1.1 km
See all
Filter all beaches by category

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of New Zealand, they are as follows:

  • The country's beaches are mainly wide, long and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is sand of bright color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is gentle, which is very good for kids. There are 348 such beaches.
  • An important clarification, 202 beaches in the country have a long intertidal zone, which means that during low tide hours you may have to travel a considerable distance. This is also something to consider if you don't want to suddenly be in the water at high tide.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in New Zealand is less than 500 meters. 399 beaches are relatively easy to access, 27 beaches are difficult to access, which in most cases means that you have to walk a quite long distance, and 17 beaches are only accessible from the water. The latter include both island beaches and beaches with no land routes due to the natural borders.

Wild beaches with no infrastructure dominate the coastline of New Zealand however, even here you can find a beach with a standard set of accessories: sun beds, umbrellas, restaurants, showers and toilets.

Latest reviews on New Zealand's beaches

Muriwai Beach
10 Emily Sinclair

This beach is absolutely breathtaking. The black sand is incredibly soft and doesn't cling to your skin. The views are stunning and it's not overcrowded. The waves are massive and appear quite turbulent. However, if you head further up, there's a designated swimming area where the waves seem smaller and less rough. It's only a 50-minute drive from Auckland CBD, making it a highly recommended destination to visit.

Karitane Beach
10 Mia Noodle

We absolutely adore visiting Karitane Beach, starting from the moment we catch sight of it from the lookout. The walk is wonderfully uncomplicated, and our furry friend enjoys it so much that he resists leaving. And honestly, we feel the same way.

New Chums Beach
10 Daisy

This beach is truly stunning, one of the most beautiful I've ever seen! The path to get there is easy to locate and not too difficult to navigate. However, if you decide to climb up to the lookout, be aware that it's quite steep and may not be suitable for everyone. But if you do make it up there, the view is incredibly rewarding! From the top, we were lucky enough to spot some hammerhead sharks swimming near the beach, which was an amazing sight!

Opunake Beach
10 Julia Wrolstad

We love coming to this beach every time. When the tide is low, there are fantastic rock pools that the kids can explore. The playground is always a favorite among the children, and we adore the picnic spots along the sandy shore. The public facilities are also good. The walkways are pleasant, and the views are stunning.

Oakura Beach
10 Davey J

This holiday park is absolutely stunning, with the beach right at our doorstep. We really appreciate being able to bring our dog along, and the people here are incredibly friendly. We will definitely return in the future!

Moeraki Boulders Beach
10 G-Man

This beach was our first stop on our journey from Dunedin to Lake Tekapo, just a short distance off Hwy 1. The sand here is home to these fascinating round boulders, formed from the calcification of dinosaur mud. Some of them are almost perfectly round, while others resemble petrified tortoise shells with hexagonal patterns of yellower rock. It's quite an interesting walk down the short beach to witness dozens of these boulders. There are a few stairs to access the beach, but they are not difficult to climb.

Please note that lifeguards supervise 35 beaches in the country, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

Do you know how many beaches there are in New Zealand? In total there are 443 beaches and the most popular is Sumner Beach.

Most viewed beaches of New Zealand

Tokerau beach

Tokerau beach
7.5
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water
New Zealand, Lake Ohia 5.1 km
Hihi Beach

Hihi Beach
7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise water
New Zealand, Hihi 0.3 km
Coopers Beach

Coopers Beach
7.4
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Brown sand
New Zealand, Coopers Beach 0.7 km
Ruby Bay Beach II

Ruby Bay Beach II
6.7
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Gray sand & pebble, Turquoise pure water, Sand & Pebbles bottom
New Zealand, Ruby Bay 2.1 km
Torrent Bay Beach II

Torrent Bay Beach II
8
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Bright fine sand
New Zealand, Torrent Bay 0.2 km
Breaker Bay Beach

Breaker Bay Beach
8.1
Free entrance, Virgin beach, Easy access, Bright sand, Turquoise pure water, Sand bottom
New Zealand, Kaiteriteri 0.6 km
View all 440 beaches

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in New Zealand?

When it comes to finding the best beaches in New Zealand, the following aspects should be taken into account.

There are 443 beaches in total, of which about 122 can be called high-rated.

The best beaches in the majority:

They are also usually:

The best beaches in New Zealand:

View all beaches in New Zealand and create your selection by features

How to view only nearest to me beaches in New Zealand?

To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.

Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in New Zealand, you must be in that area to get the correct results.

See also: View all beaches in New Zealand and create your selection by features.

How to view all beaches in New Zealand on map?

To view and filter by characteristics all beaches of New Zealand, use the link below:

See also:

View all beaches in New Zealand and combine selections by features

What are all easy accessible beaches in New Zealand?

Most of the beaches located in New Zealand are easily accessible, but there are also hard to reach beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).

Popular categories of beaches in New Zealand by access:

See also the categories:

Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in New Zealand:

View all beaches in New Zealand and select by features

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in New Zealand?

Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.

The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features

Beach coverage and water

Natural scenery

Other popular categories

View all beaches in New Zealand and select by features

How to find uncrowded beaches in New Zealand?

The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in New Zealand by occupancy.

Popular categories:

If the presence of a crowd on the beach is critical for you, pay attention to where you should not go in the season.

View all beaches in New Zealand and select by features

Which beaches in New Zealand are kid-friendly, good for relax, pet-friendly, naturist-friendly, camping-friendly?

The selections of the beaches in New Zealand according to the recommended audience:

See also:

How to view all beaches by amenities details in New Zealand?

Use filter in search results to select a beach according to your preference for amenities.

Popular beach infrastructure categories:

See also:

View all beaches in New Zealand and select by specific amenities

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in New Zealand?

Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.

View all beaches in New Zealand and select by activity