Looking to escape the overcrowded beaches while in Coromandel? Then Opito Bay is the place for you!
Opito Bay is a small beach town located on the Kuaotunu peninsular. This epic spot is popular for its beautiful beach and surrounding nature. It is significantly less populated than other nearby areas such as Whitianga and Matarangi.
Spending most of my summer in Coromandel, Opito Bay has become one of my favourite spots to visit. Not only is the beach itself amazing, but so are the other magical spots in the area.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about Opito Bay. From how to get there and the best things to do while you are there. And of course I’ll share the hidden gems as well.
How to get to opito Bay
Opito Bay is a little bit out of the way compared to some of the other popular spots in the Coromandel. But it is worth making the effort to drive out and enjoy the serenity of the area.
Opito Bay is accessed via Black Jack Road starting in the little beach town of Kuaotunu. This road is very windy and a mixture of sealed and gravel road. However it is very well used and suitable for any regular car.
It will take about 15-20 minutes to get from Kuaotunu to Opito Bay. On the way you will pass Otama Beach, which is another great beach to visit if you have time.
Black Jack road goes all the way to Opito Bay, so it is almost impossible to get lost. Once you arrive, there are plenty of areas to park along the road, or you can head to the large grass carpark near the far end of the beach.
Things to do in Opito Bay
Opito Bay may seem like the type of place you come to relax and just enjoy the beach. However, there is also some pretty epic spots too explore in the area as well. Opito Bay has a little bit of everything.
1. Enjoying the beach
Probably the most common thing to do in Opito Bay is to enjoy the beach itself. Being not as popular as other beaches in the Coromandel, Opito bay always feels a bit more relaxing.
Like all the beaches in Coromandel, the water here is extremely clean and clear. On a sunny day, it almost feels like a tropical island. While there can be some waves here, they tend to not be too strong and in general, the beach is quite safe to swim at.
As well as stunning water, the sandy section of the beach stretches quite far along the coastline. There will always be plenty of space to spread out and not be too close to anyone else.
There isn’t a lot of shady spots on the beach, so it is recommended to bring your own shelter. Trees are scattered along the beach and up near the grassy areas but on a hot day these will probably be taken up pretty fast by others.
Don’t forget to bring along your kayaks, paddle boards or any other water toys. Opito Bay is great for any kind of water activity due to is calm water. There is also a boat ramp, so access is easy for those with boats or jet skis.
2. Visit Crayfish Bay
Crayfish Bay has to be one of my favourite hidden gems in the Coromandel. It has become more popular and well known over the last few years, but it is still not too crowded compared to other places.
Cryafish Bay is a small stoney beach with crystal clear water and a large rock ledge. Snorkelling here is great, but most people visit Crayfish bay to relax up on the rock ledge and jump from the rocks into the water.
To get to Crayfish Bay you will need to head down to the far end of the beach at Opito Bay towards the pā. Just before you reach the end of the beach you will see a sign and track that leads inland over a fence. Follow the grassy track for less than 5 minutes and you will reach Crayfish Bay.
Unfortunately, due to the style of track and needing to climb over fences, the walk to crayfish bay is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
To get the most out of your time at Crayfish Bay you will also need to be comfortable climbing over the large rock face to get there. You can still enjoy this spot from the beach, however, the best parts are over the rocks.
It does get quite busy here in the peak of the summer holidays, so try and visit when it will be a little quieter to get the most out of this amazing spot.
3. Kayaking
If you are looking for a more organised tour type activity then I strongly recommend joining this Volcanic Coast Kayaking trip. This half day kayaking tour sets off from Opito Bay and explores the stunning surrounding coastline.
Explore hidden caves and beautiful beaches that are only accessible by boat as you make your way along the coastline. You will also learn about the history of the area, as well as the geology, flora and fauna.
Groups are only small, with a maximum of 6 people so the whole experience feels a lot more personal.
You can either meet the group at the meeting point in Opito Bay or you can request a pick up from Whitianga.
This is the only tour available in Opito Bay, so make sure to secure your spot so you don’t miss out.
Book your spot on the Volcanic Coast Kayaking Trip HERE!
4. Walk up the Opito Bay Pā
Wanting a more active activity to do while in Opito Bay? The Check out the walk up to the Opito Bay Pā. This walk only takes about an hour return and is accessed through the track at the far end of the beach.
The walk up to the pā is only 1 kilometre long but does involve quite a few stairs. 196 stairs to be exact. The climb is worth it though once you reach the top where you are treated to 360 degree views or the surrounding bays.
To get to the start of the walk, you must walk to the far end of the beach. This takes you to the bottom of the hill and although it is flat, walking in the soft sand can be hard.
Follow the winding track up the hill and all the way out to the end of the point.
Sit up here a while and soak in the views, before you follow the same track back down to the beach. The track is mostly grass so watch out for ditches and holes, especially on the way back down.
5. Explore other Local Beaches
While Opito Bay is an amazing beach itself, the are also many other amazing beaches easily accessible that you can visit.
If you are staying in the area a few days here are a few awesome beaches to check out.
- Otama Beach is the beach that you passed on the way to get to Opito Bay. This beach is often quieter than Opito Bay and has amazingly clear, blue water. The left hand side of the beach also has an great area to snorkel in, which tends to be quite popular with locals.
- Matapaua Bay is one of the little known beaches in the area. It can only be accessed by a gravel road, that is not recommended for smaller cars. Because of this, it one of best spots to enjoy the beach without all the crowds. There are some cool rock pools here to explore as well.
- Mercury Islands is the place to visit if you are wanting that true tropical island feel. They are only accessible by boat so it is not somewhere everyone will be to go. Great Mercury Island is the most popular island of the bunch with Peachgrove Bay being the best place to park up for the day.
- New Chums Beach is another popular spot although it is a bit of a drive. Accessible through Whangapoua Beach, it is certainly worth visiting if you haven’t been. There is a bit of a walk to get here but once you are there it feels like you are in another world. The clear water and soft sand make this spot one of my all time favourites.
There are many other amazing beaches all over The Coromandel. If you have the opportunity to go a bit further and explore more, there are some beautiful spots and you wont regret it.
Accomodation In opito bay
Opito Bay is you typical kiwi beach town. A stunning place with a few baches scattered on the water front. This means there are no hotels or anything along those lines. The only option in here is to hire a holiday home.
There is a good selection of holiday homes in Opito Bay with most of them being family size, sleeping a 6+ people.
Some have a more traditional kiwi bach feel which will be more on the cheaper side. While others are a lot more modern and come with a much higher price tag.
Check out some of the best options below:
Waterfront Holiday Home – This five bedroom home is located right on the beach with epic views over the bay and out to the Mercury Islands. The home is split into two seperate dwellings providing that extra bit of privacy. Large living areas as well as easy access to the beach make this holiday home the perfect choice for a family trip to the beach.
Book your stay the Waterfront Holiday Home HERE!
Opito Perfection – If you are looking for something a bit more modern then this holiday home is the place for you. Built in the newly developed area in Opito Bay, this home has a stunning outdoor living area with incredible views over the water. The four bedrooms can sleep up to nine guests comfortably.
Book your stay at Opito Perfection HERE!
Cute As Can Be – This traditional one bedroom kiwi bach is located right by the beach and can sleep up to six people. This place is smaller in size but has a large outdoor space and is conveniently located right by the boat ramp. This holiday home is also pet friendly (prior approval needed), so you can bring your fury family member along too.
Book your stay at Cute As Can Be HERE!
Camping
Unfortunately there are no campgrounds in Opito Bay. If you are wanting to camp then the closest option is the Kuaotunu Campground.
The Kuaotunu Campground is located about 20 minutes from Opito Bay, so it is still fairly close and not too much of a drive.
There are a few options when it comes to accomodation and sites. The camping sites are either powered or unpowered, plus, there are a few cabins to choose from.
The campground has that authentic kiwi beach feel, especially in the middle of summer. It is just across the road from the beach and has great facilities scattered around the grounds.
Nearby Accomodation
If you are wanting to stay somewhere close to Opito Bay, then there are a few cool, nearby towns with plenty of accommodation.
As mentioned before Kuaotunu is the next closest small town. There is of course the camp ground as well as a great selection of holiday homes to choose from. As is it still a small town, there are just a couple of food places and a general store, but no other shops.
The beach here is great and is split into two different sections. There is a small estuary right by the shops which is also a popular spot for kids to swim.
If you are looking for a more busy town vibe then head over the hill to Whitianga. This beach spot is becoming more and more popular with a choice of many different styles of accomodation. There are also plenty of shops, to cater to almost all your needs.
Whitianga doesn’t have the same beach vibe as other spots in the Coromandel due to its large size. However, if you are looking for somewhere with a lot more facilities, then Whitianga is a great place to be.
Facilities in Opito Bay
Due to the fact that Opito Bay isn’t a very big area, there is not much in terms of any facilities in the immediate area.
There are some basics you would expect at a small beach, however, there are no shops at Opito Bay.
However, there are some pretty good options located at some of the nearby beaches. The smaller beach towns have a few different things and Whitianga is only 30 minutes away, with almost everything you would need.
Food Options
You are best to bring your own food to Opito Bay as there is nowhere to buy anything there.
Kuaotunu is the closest place to Opito Bay to buy food. You do need to drive through Kuaotunu on the way through so it does make it easy to grab something on the go.
There are a few different options here, depending on what time of the day you are driving through.
For the basics, the Kuaotunu General Store has a fairly good selection of snacks as well as bits and pieces to make your own lunch. They also have a small selection of cabinet food. During summer they have a fish and chip truck which is open in the afternoons.
If you are wanting a sit down meal then check out Luke’s Kitchen. This place is by far one of the most popular spots to eat in the area. They have a great menu with lots of options. Pizza is always the most popular choice here. Luke’s Kitchen does get extremely busy, and you can’t book a table so it can be a bit hard to get a spot here during the busy period.
There is also a small cafe called Kua Kawhe to the side of Luke’s Kitchen which does great coffees and cabinet food. This is my recommendation if you are driving past in the morning and want to grab some yummy food for the day.
Bathrooms
There is a toilet in Opito Bay, however it is just basic long drop. While it may be basic, it is well maintained and each time I have used it, it has always been as clean as a long drop can be. There is always toilet paper and sanitiser to use as well.
It is just one singular toilet and is located towards the far end of the beach in the grassy car park. Once you arrive turn away from the beach and look for the small green building towards the back of the park.
Wrap up – Opito Bay
If you are looking for an amazing spot to spend the weekend, you really can’t go wrong with Opito Bay.
The beach is simply beautiful and there are plenty of epic spots to visit in the area.
Wether you stay in Opito Bay, or are just visiting for the day, make sure to add this spot to your list of places to visit next time you are in The Coromandel.
Make sure to check out all the other epic parts of The Coromandel HERE.
