Since New Zealand is surrounded by water, finding a beach or bay is never difficult.
The beaches we visited for summer 2023 are listed below; be sure to check back often as we add more beaches.
1. Waihi Beach - Bay of Plenty
Absolute favourite of ours! The beach is 10km long and is a safe family friendly surf beach in the Bay of Plenty, 45 minutes drive from Tauranga and at the foot of the Coromandel Pennisula.
There is a surf club, a surf school, a tyre swing (always a hit with the kids), and access to the path that leads to Orokawa Bay.
Orokawa Bay (this is not a swimming beach because it is extremely dangerous.) A 45-minute walk over the hill from the main beach is required; bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the secluded bay.
Waihi Beach has cute little shops, restaurants, walking trails, and even a surf school. It has something for everyone and is our top choice for places to visit.
2. Anzac Bay - Bay of Plenty This is another fantastic beach/bay to explore, especially if you have young children, and is only a short drive from Waihi Beach near Bowentown.
There are restrooms and a sizable parking lot. The rocks (seen at the top of the page) can be explored.
You can walk down to Cave Bay, a nice place for some fishing, and have amazing views of the coast if you climb to the top of the hill. Cave Bay is accessible only by an extremely difficult, but worthwhile, walk.
3. Shelly Bay - Bay of Plenty
Shelly Bay, which is only a 15-minute stroll over the hill, is deserving of note.
You can get to Shelly Bay by boat or on foot; there is a walkway near the northern end of Anzac Bay.
With its pure water, rock pools, and serenity, it resembles a tropical paradise.
Bring a towel to sit on because Shelly Bay is, as the name suggests, covered in shells.
Note: There are no restrooms available here so you will need to walk back to Anzac Bay.
3. Pilot Bay - Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty
Pilot Bay, which is situated on the Mount's harbour side, is another bay on the list.
At the port end of Pilot Bay, you can purchase fish and chips or ice cream, we love to go for ice cream.
At Pilot Bay, there are many options for renting water sports equipment from vendors.
Sitting and watching the large cruise ships enter and exit the harbour is another well-liked activity in Pilot Bay.
For breathtaking views and perhaps even the chance to see seals, you can also hike up or around the Mount.
The only problem about anything at the Mount is parking, which is why the kids prefer Pilot Bay. Allow lots of time for finding a parking spot!
4. Napier Beach - Hawke's Bay
This is undoubtedly a different kind of beach; it is not a place where you should swim and it is made up of tiny pebbles rather than sand. But it's worthwhile to go there to construct "Rock Castles" and to simply take a stroll and enjoy the surroundings.
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