New Zealand's best beaches

Monday, March 16, 2009

MSN NZ Travel staff

Whether you're planning a trip to New Zealand or dreaming about a beach holiday, New Zealand's beaches may not be the first thought to come to mind.

From snow-capped mountain ranges, to nature reserves and gorgeous countryside, New Zealand is renowned for stunning scenery and varying landscapes. And you can add great beaches to the list. Plus, New Zealand is only one of two places in the world (the other being Canada) where you can see snow-capped mountains while relaxing on the beach!

If you explore New Zealand's beaches you'll find long sandy stretches adjacent to clear, crisp waters and rocky shorelines. You'll also stumble upon sleepy fishing towns with the best fish and chips, ever. Here are some of New Zealand's best beaches.

Ninety Mile Beach, Northland
Technically, Ninety Mile Beach is only 55 miles long (or 89km, by chance) and the locals have different stories and theories as to why their 55 mile beach was dubbed "Ninety Mile Beach" — but you’ll have to ask them yourself. Popular activities at this beach located at the far north of the country include driving along the shoreline at low tide, pipi picking and snapper fishing and, of course, long walks on the long beach.

Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty coast is a popular destination for locals, so it's got to be good, right? The region is rich in Maori culture and kiwifruit plantations, and there's a raft of activities the whole family will love, including dolphin encounters, skydiving, horseriding and (naturally) afternoons spent on the stunning beaches.

Long Beach, Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island has been dubbed "the suburb on the sea" by the Aucklanders who get away to the island beach town on the weekends. It's only 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland, so if you're visiting Auckland you don't have to go far to experience the charm of a seaside town and enjoy white sands and untarnished beaches.

St Kilda Beach, Dunedin
It's hard to imagine sun lovers lying on beach towels, soaking up the sun while wearing glistening tanning lotion that far down the South Island, but the local residents of Dunedin love a good day at the beach! Although you might not be used to the "fresh" waters and ocean breezes, it's a great beach for a long walk and moments of contemplation — just remember to bring a jumper.

Gillespies Beach, West Coast
Gillespies Beach on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is located 30 minutes by car from Fox Glacier. It's a rocky shoreline covered in pebbles, boulders and driftwood, standing against violent surf. Even though you won't catch people braving the ocean for a dip, you can still get your feet wet and visit the unique location if you're in the area.

Oriental Bay, Wellington
When you head to Oriental Parade get ready to think about absolutely nothing else and simply bask in its tortoise-like pace. Take a stroll, read a book on the beach, lick gelato and admire the CBD in full view. Sigh.

Piha Beach, Auckland
Piha Beach, guarded by the dark and mysterious Lion Rock formation, is a popular day trip destination amongst Aucklanders throughout the year because of the surf-worthy waves. However, the unpredictable rip currents are dangerous, so even if you're an experienced surfer or swimmer, stay between the flags and stick with the locals. And definitely don't go in when there's no-one around.

Raglan, Waikato
Raglan is the number one surf beach in New Zealand. If surfing is your thing, this is the place to be, and you'll be surrounded by a warm and friendly surfing community. So what are you waiting for?

Wharariki Beach, Golden Bay
Dramatic rock and sun dune formations makes Wharariki Beach an artist's paradise where the quirky and intriguing landscape loosely resembles something Salvador Dali might have put together.

Kaiteriteri, Tasman
Week-long camping trips and making friends on the beach in Kaiteriteri is a hallmark of many Kiwi childhoods for those who grew up on the South Island. The sheltered waters and golden sands makes Kaiteriteri one of the safest swimming beached in New Zealand and hence perfect for families.

Mission Bay, Auckland
Mission Bay sings the song of happy children and relaxed parents having fun in the sun and soaking up the good weather on weekends. If you're curious about visiting a marae (meeting place), the Orakei Marae is in the area.

Doubtful Sound, Fiordland
Doubtful Sound is one of those secluded and serene places in New Zealand where people come from far and wide expecting something of a Lord of the Rings-Middle-earth experience. The untouched area also conceals waterfalls and native flora and fauna. This is a great pocket of the world where you can simply get away from it all.

Mosquito Bay, Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman National Park offers nature-loving travellers great walks through native forests that are home to rare and endangered species of birds. The national park is also the most popular place for sea-kayaking because of the nestled bays and calm waters.

Kaikoura, Canterbury
Kaikoura is famous for crayfish and a popular place to camp among locals and travellers making their way through the South Island. The beaches are rocky and guarded by friendly seals. Avid scuba divers love exploring the marine life amongst the unique, underwater kelp forest, and they often come face to face with dolphins and whales.

Have you visited any of these beaches? Do you agree with our list? Have your say below.

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I am a bit loath to share this but I am going to let you in a little secret called Whale Bay. as you stroll down the ten minute track to the beach thankful for the nicau palms and lush tropical foliage that shade you from the hot sun, you begin to get glimpses of this jewel in the crown. Then as if to hurry you along , you round a corner and the path opens up to reveal a breath taking view of a small horseshoe tropical paradise, its inviting green waters complimented by silky soft white sand and shaded by the arms of numerous pohutakawa trees. This is a beauty undisturbed by the human hand with no signs of habitation. It is managed by DOC and the 10 minute walk down helps to keep the number of visitors to the minimum. If you take the 20 minute hike along the headland from beautiful Matapouri Bay in the morning you will be rewarded by having the beach to yourself for

Uretiti is a couple of km's past Waipu In the North Island. It is the most awesome beach, a whole coast of white sands and fabulous surf and finding a possie to soak up the sun in complete privacy, means just a short walk either north or south. Totally devoid of any human habitation, it is the perfect place for peace and recharging. Supplies are close at hand with a short drive to Waipu ( great resturant there...The Pizza Barn ) or if you want to venture another 15mins north, you will find yourself in Whangarei.

New Chums Beach,Whangapoa,Coromandel. This has to be one of the top beaches.Access is walking only. You park your car, cross the stream [low tide is best],clamber over some boulders for 5 mins or so, then follow a track along the cliffs, up & over a small saddle, on through a wonderful stand of nikau palms and there you have in front of you at the most wonderful beach you can imagine. Great body surfing waves at one end & calm & serene at the other, Crstal clear and that wonderful white sand that sqeaks when you walk on it.Never crowded especially if you make the effort to walk to the other end.The views over the ocean are uninterrupted with great Mercury Island as the back drop.Check it out next time you are on the Coromandel.

Orewa Beach on the beautiful Hibiscus Coast should definately be mentioned as it's the "Jewel in Rodney Districts Crown", because of it's safe swimming aspect and it's surfing and fishing. Orewa Beach also hosts annual power boat racing and has it's own surf club. The long beach lends itself to most water sports, including Kayaking, Surfing, Windsurfing and Kite surfing.

Great barrier Is. is always a forgotten with the uncrowded beaches, crystal clear water, sun, surf and temperatures at least 2 degrees higher, I have to say that, that Pah beach in Tryphena, Medlands and Palmers beaches have to take the cake.

Wow! I have travelled NZ, Australia, North Amercia and the South Pacific Islands extensively since the 1960's but my first visit to Waipatiki Beach, 35 mins north of Naiper, North Island of N.Z., just blew me away. We visited this surf beach in late February 2009. The sea was warm the surf was powerful and the local stream was refreshing. Note - The surf beach is unsuitable for children but the local stream offers fresh water options for young families. When we explored other coves to the right end of the beach it was like our own paradise right here in NZ. The snorkelling was great and the sound of surf resonated off the cliffs above. We likened the peacefulness and water experiences to the Cook Islands, without the expense of an overseas trip. The Waipatiki Holiday park was also well located. Napier is your closest supplies and Vodafone coverage is non existent . Not a bad thing when you want total peace. A must stop for campers and campervans.

Kaikoura is my very favourite place to spend time, in the summer its fantastic. In the winter the beautiful snow capped kaikouras make it stunning. I would move there in a flash given the opportunity, a real must to visit

Where else can you dig a pool in the sand and relax to the sound of waves on a clean unpolluted beach. No hotel monstrosities or boy racer circuits. No constant noise of boats and jetskis. No bans on swimming because of sewerage overspills.Got to love it. How Mission Bay made the list is beyond me.

Whangamata is an excellent beach spent school holidays here

ocean bay, Marlborough Sounds, amazing peaceful beach with wonderful outlook and great fishing