At the start of the summer season, we visited HWB around 6:00 pm, just before the tide turned. It was bustling! For a quieter experience, I’d recommend going early in the morning, depending on the tide times. The water is exactly as described - HOT! Despite the crowd, it is a unique experience with a friendly atmosphere.
Beyond the hot water section, the beach itself is beautiful. The toilet facilities are excellent, and there is paid parking and a cafe/shop on site (though it wasn't open when we visited). You can't visit the Coromandel without stopping by this beach!
During our trip to New Zealand, a friend strongly recommended that we visit Hot Water Beach, and we’re so glad we did. We got there around 8:30 in the morning, and even in late March, the beach was already bustling with people. The sun was shining, surfers were catching waves, and the scenery was stunning. From the parking lot, head left towards the ocean to find the hot water spots. We brought a small shovel, but renting a larger spade would have been more effective. It doesn’t take much effort to find pockets of hot water, though some can be quite hot! The fun lies in mixing the hot geothermal water with the cold ocean water to find the perfect temperature. Arriving an hour before low tide worked well for us, and we heard that the best time is within two hours of low tide. The beach was very clean and had amenities like toilets in the parking lot. We’re really glad we visited and would definitely spend more time here if we return.