Exploring the best Coromandel beaches is one of the highlights of summer for many kiwis.
Everything from well known popular beaches to the isolated hidden gems, the Coromandel really does have the perfect beach for everyone to enjoy.
I have visited almost all the beaches in the Coromandel and love every single one of them. They all have something special about them, there simply isn’t one particular beach that is the very best.
Check out all the possibilities below and figure out which ones you are going to check out on your next trip to the Coromandel.
Why are Beaches in the Coromandel so Popular?
With so many stunning beaches in such a close proximity, there is no questioning why the Coromandel is so popular. Clean and clear water, soft sand and beautiful views is something all the beaches in the Coromandel have in common.
Being so close to Auckland, it gives the option for either a day trip or staying over for a few nights and spending a bit more time there. The longer you stay, the more chances you get to check out the epic beaches the Coromandel has to offer. There certainly isn’t a shortage of them.
In general the Coromandel is quite developed and each town offers many of the normal comforts of home. Some are more built up and have supermarkets, while others that are a bit smaller will always have little local store to buy essentials.
The Best Coromandel Beaches
Whether you are a family wanting a calm beach to have fun at, a group of friends wanting a lively beach town or a surfer wanting the best waves, this list of the most epic beaches in the Coromandel will have something ideal for you.
Cathedral Cove – Coromandel’s Famous Beach
The tracks to Cathedral Cove are temporarily closed to damage from Cyclone Gabriele. Access to the beach is from the sea only. Visitors are advised to stay away from the cliffs and arch way. Check out the DOC website for more information and updates.
Cathedral Cove is one of those beaches that everyone wants to visit when they are in the Coromandel. The giant archway that separates the two beaches is the main attraction, being the iconic photo spot of the area.
As soon as you step foot in Cathedral Cove you will straight away see why this is one of the best beaches in the Coromandel and arguably the most famous beach in New Zealand. Soft white sand, turquoise blue waters and towering rock formations, the scenery here is incomparable.
Not only does the beach look great, but Cathedral Cove is also a great place to swim. The water here is always so clear and jumping in the refreshing water makes your visit even more worth it.
Both beaches either side of the arch have plenty of space to lie on the sand and take in the beautiful surroundings. Pohutukawa trees also line the cliff base providing shade for those wanting to escape the sun.
There is about a 45 minute walk from the carpark to the beach. The track does have a bit of up and downhill walking but can easily be done at a steady pace.
You will need to go through Hahei to get to Cathedral Cove. If you wish to stay for the weekend, Hahei has plenty of fun things to do as well as great accomodation.
Ocean Beach – Tairua
Ocean Beach, also known as Tairua Beach, is one of the less busy beaches in the Coromandel, often overshadowed by Pauanui. It is very popular with surfers and holidayers to the local town Tairua.
The beach area here is quite large with plenty of space to lay down and relax. Swimming here is great, and visitors to this beach often have a lot of fun diving under the waves that break close to the beach.
Ocean beach is only a few minutes drive into Tairua. This makes it very easy to pop back into town and grab some food for a picnic lunch or anything you might need for your day at the beach.
Being a surf beach the water here can be unpredictable. Please listen to the local lifeguards and swim between the flags.
Hahei Beach
Hahei is a popular beach town for visitors who want to explore a few of the well known sites and beaches in the Coromandel. Not only is the town a great place to base yourself, but the beach here is also fantastic.
Along this large stretch of beach you will find rope swings, many shady trees and flat grassy spots to set up a picnic for the day. The water is also supervised by lifeguards making it a lot safer for families to enjoy.
Combine the tropical water and soft sand with easy access to accomodation and small shops, you have one of the best beaches in the Coromandel.
Many people skip Hahei Beach and instead opt for the more popular Cathedral cove, located just over the hill. However, it is one of those beaches that is amazing in its own way and should not be missed on your next trip to the Coromandel.
New Chums Beach
Nestled quietly around the corner from Whangapoua sits New Chums Beach. This little hidden gem is a local favourite and a go to spot for many adventure seeking kiwis over the years.
New Chums is one of my favourite beaches. However, it has been getting more popular after getting posted all over social media. I still love to come here but not during the busy summer holidays.
The beach itself is extremely popular for its untouched feeling while only being an easy 30 to 40 minute walk away from the near by small town. The sand, the water, the wildlife everything here is like something out of a fairytale.
Another draw card to New Chums Beach is the walk that goes up the cliff to the lookout at the top. Getting a photo at this spot looking over the beach is a must for anyone visiting New Chums.
There are no facilities at New Chums so make sure you come prepared and take away all your rubbish with you. Help New Chums Beach maintain that untouched feeling.
Pokohino Beach – Most Underrated of the Coromandel Beaches
If you are on the lookout for beaches that feel like they are untouched, then Pokohino Beach is your new go to in the Coromandel. This beach is a great spot to visit if you are wanting to escape the crowds of Whangamata or Onemana.
Accessed via a forestry road, followed by a 20 minute walk Pokohino beach is a bit of a hidden gem. Mysterious caves, small cliff jumps and interesting rock pools are just a few of the things you will find here.
The sand here is some of the softest in the area, great for beach games or just relaxing and enjoying your surroundings. The water gets deep quite quick here and there is often wildlife spotted in the water. If you are lucky you might see some dolphins or even orcas.
Pokohino beach is quite isolated compared to most of the other popular beaches so it is never too crowed, other than the busy Christmas and new year break.
Otama Beach
Otama Beach is one of the quieter beaches you will come across in the Coromandel. A 30 minute drive from Whitianga, Otama Beach is not developed like a lot of the nearby towns with only a few baches scattered around.
The sand dunes create a protective barrier between the beach and the road making it feel like a hidden sanctuary. the sound of the crashing waves and local wildlife add to the secluded feeling.
Otama Beach also has a rope swing, plenty of shade from the Pohutukawa trees and estuary at the far end of the beach. It is a perfect spot to bring the whole family for a day out.
This is my favourite beach to come do during the busy summer holiday period. I find it doesn’t get as busy as many of the other Coromandel Beaches. Otama Beach is also very long, so it is easy to find space away from other people.
You can get to Otama Beach via Black Jack Road, a gravel road that connects this beach to Kūaotunu.
Hot Water Beach – most unique of the Coromandel Beaches
Probably the second most famous of the beaches in the Coromandel is Hot Water Beach. Popular for the naturally heated water that runs under the sand, a visit to Hot Water Beach is definitely something to add to the road trip list.
Digging a hot pool here is one of the most popular things to do while visiting The Coromandel. If you want to get in on the action, head to the rocks between the two beach areas. Two hours either side of high tide is the recommended times to go to be able to dig in the right spot on the beach.
You will need to bring your own spade to dig, but if you don’t have access to one then there are some for hire at the local shops and camp ground.
The beach is also a great place to swim and relax so when the tides aren’t right for the spa pools, it is still very nice to lie on the beach here. There are also a few local cafes and shops to enjoy right beside the beach.
Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach is on the western side of the Coromandel Peninsular, opposite to many of the other recommended beaches. It also has a completely different vibe due to its much calmer waters and and assortment of shells on the beach.
Located only a 5 minute drive from Coromandel Town, Shelly beach is a great spot to visit for a family friendly day out. The beach may be a bit smaller than most but it never gets as busy as the east coast.
The water is much calmer here and it is pretty much always flat just like many of the beaches on the western side of the coromandel. This is due to Auckland being directly across from the beach.
The Top 10 Holiday Park is the perfect place to stay here. It is right on the beach and has many other family oriented features such as a a playground and swimming pool.
Crayfish Bay – the hidden gem of the Coromandel Beaches
Want to feel like you are on one of those topical beaches in the Pacific Islands without leaving the Coromandel, then Crayfish Bay is the place for you.
The beach here is quite rocky but you can climb up onto the white cliffs to the right of the beach and find some good flat areas up there. The climb up can be a bit steep so go up there with caution.
From up on the cliffs the water looks even more emerald green, especially on a sunny day. There is also a spot slightly around the corner where you can do some cliff jumps. Some metal bars have been attached to the rocks so you can climb back up.
To get to Crayfish Bay there is a short walk from Opito Bay, down the beach and through a small section of farm land. The walk is very easy and flat the whole way over.
Matarangi Beach
Matarangi Beach is one of the more developed beaches in the Coromandel. It is a very popular spot for visitors from Auckland and many have baches here.
This 4 kilometre beach is situated on a sand spit surrounded by bright blue water. The sea here is perfect for swimming, surfing, fishing and a wide range of water sports. If you prefer not to go into the water then there is plenty of soft sand to relax on, on the beach.
Providing many of the comforts of home, Matarangi Beach has a small super market (Four Square) and a selection of cafes and restaurants. There is also a golf course which is very popular in the summer time.
Matarangi prides itself in being a family friendly town. With well connected walking and cycling tracks, playgrounds and tennis courts, it is no surprise that this beach is such a popular spot.
Opito Bay
Another of the more underrated beaches in the Coromandel, Opito Bay is full of fun areas to relax and explore. Many people opt to skip Opito Bay due to access being via a gravel road, creating a more of the beaten track destination
Opito Bay is a great beach for swimming. The clear waters are generally calm and quite sheltered. It is also shallow with no sudden drop offs and at low tide rock pools are exposed and able to be explored.
There is a walk up to the Opito Point Pā that begins down the far end of the beach. A fairly steep climb up but the views from the top are a highlight of the area. From the Pā you get 360 degree views of the beach, near by islands and local bays.
With plenty of things to do, Opito Bay is one of the ideal beaches to visit in the Coromandel.
Pauanui Beach – most Family Friendly of the Coromandel Beaches
Pauanui Beach is the most densely populated of the beaches in the Coromandel. Many people choose to live in this little seaside town rather than just come down for holidays.
The main surf beach stretches 3 kilometres providing plenty of space to lay out on the sand. The water here can get quite rough and currents may be strong. During summer and peak times lifeguards are on duty and ensure beach goers are swimming in the safe areas in the water.
There are also many local walks ranging from steep uphill climbs to leisurely strolls along the estuary. The Pauanui Trig Track is a local favourite, showcasing views of the whole beach and surrounding area.
Pauanui has many shops, cafes and restaurants and is by far the most developed of all the Coromandel Beaches. While this is great in terms of accessibility, it can be quite busy and not suited for those wanting a quiet beach day.
Whiritoa Beach
Whiritoa Beach is one of the most southern beaches in the Coromandel, only a 20 minute drive from Waihi. It is well known for its steep shoreline and short break, perfect for surfers looking for quick rides.
This beach is more popular for those looking for a bit more rough waters and waves that are fun to dive through. Because of the steep shoreline it is not ideal for people not confident in the water. Lifeguards are on duty in the busy summer season.
Either end of the beach scattered between the rocks are large rock pools full of sealife. Snorkelling around these areas is also great when the conditions and tides are right.
Like all the beaches in the Coromandel, Whiritoa can get quite busy. However there will always be plenty of space and it will never feel uncomfortably busy.
Cooks Beach
For those wanting a calm, sheltered beaches to enjoy then Cooks Beach is the go to for the Coromandel. Set back in Mercury Bay, Cooks Beach does not experience the harsh coastal elements as much as other beaches that are more exposed.
This family friendly beach stretches 3 kilometres and has a range of parks, reserves and walks for all to enjoy. All of this makes it quite a popular holiday spot and many people come here to escape the city with their family.
After a day relaxing on the beach and playing in the water, head up to Shakespears cliff. You can see everything in Mercury Bay from here. Walk up from the beach or drive up to the car park at the top and enjoy the views.
To get to Cooks Beach you can either drive up the peninsular or catch the ferry across from Whitianga to Flaxmill Bay and drive over the hill.
Whangamatā Beach – most Popular of the Coromandel Beaches
Whangamatā is one of the biggest towns in the Coromandel and is a great place to base yourself to explore all the other local beaches.
The beach area here is huge and even curves into a sheltered estuary that is very calm and safe to swim. The main beach has gentle surf making it good fun to body board, swim or even surf smaller waves.
You wont find a shortage of things to do here. As well as having a fantastic beach for swimming and sun bathing, Whangamatā also has a large selections of shops, cafes and restaurants to check out.
It is well developed providing many options for accommodation. You can stay at the local camp ground, hire out a bach or book a room at the local hotel.
Onemana Beach
Only a 10 minute drive from Whitiangā you will find Onemana Beach. If you want to avoid other beaches with lots of people in the Coromandel, then try out Onemana. This town is far smaller than its busy neighbours.
Like all other Coromandel beaches, Onemana has that turquoise water and soft sand. Lots of shade is also available from the Pohutukawa trees scattered along the edge of the dunes. Enjoy the small waterfall at the far end of the beach as an added little bonus.
Onemana is also the perfect place to fish, dive and snorkel. For the best snorkel spots head to the large rocky area at the north end. Spot star fish, crabs and other sea life swimming around.
Don’t forget to visit Onemana on your next trip to the coromandel.
Fletcher Bay
Escape the hustle and bustle and all the crowded beaches and head up to Fletcher Bay on your next trip to the Coromandel.
Fletcher Bay is located at the very top of the Coromandel just over 60 kilometres from Coromandel Town. Due to its far away location, this beach has a very remote feel to it giving the impression you have escaped from the rest of the world.
Here you will also find the start/end point of the Coromandel Coastal Walkway. This walk is a 3.5 hour one way trek that takes you through the most stunning and unspoiled parts of northern Coromandel. If you choose to stay a few days in Fletcher Bay then the Coromandel Coastal Walkway is a must do.
Stay over night at the local DOC campground to make the most of your time in Fletcher Bay
WHich of the Coromandel Beaches will you visit First?
Now you know all the best beaches that the Coromandel has to offer, where is going to be your first stop? Pack the sun cream, towels and swimwear, hit the road and get ready for an epic summer hitting up the best Coromandel beaches.
