Heading to Otama for a beach holiday?
Over my many summers spent in The Coromandel I have explored almost all of the amazing beach spots. It’s safe to say Otama Beach is one of my favourites.
This whole coastline is not to be missed, soft white sand, blue water and no crowds, is what makes Otama Beach so special.
If you are wanting to visit Otama beach, then this guide will tell you everything to need to know before you go. Things to do, places to stay and where to eat, you will find it all here.
How to get to otama Beach
Otama beach is a little bit out of the way compared to other beaches in The Coromandel. However, getting here is not difficult and is well worth the extra 10 minutes in the car.
To get to Otama Beach you first need to get to Kuaotunu. This is only a 30 minute drive from Whitianga via SH25.
From here, you will follow the road onto Black Jack Road. This is a gravel road, but there are no massive holes and you wont need a large car or 4wd to drive over it. The road twists and turns and makes its way over the hill all the way down to Otama Beach.
There is a small car park at the western end of the beach which is were I usually park to be close to the rocks for snorkelling. Otherwise, there are other parking spots along the beach with a bigger car park at the far end by the swing.
Things to do in otama Beach
Otama Beach is a great beach anyone can enjoy. It is fairly calm and there are lots of cool natural features that make it stand out from other beaches in the area.
The main reason I love Otama is for its beauty and for the fact that I never get bored here.
Enjoying the beach
Obviously the main reason people visit Otama is to relax and enjoy the beach itself. One of the great things about this beach is how big and long it is. It is never too busy and there is always plenty of space for everyone to not need to be too close to anyone.
The water here is just perfect. There are some waves, but they tend to not be too big or strong. The water is so clear and blue that you would almost think you are on a tropical island.
Otama Beach is also a great spot for kayaking or paddle boarding. The calm water means its not too hard to stay balanced. You can go and explore out deep, or around the rocks at the end of the beach.
If you want to visit some other amazing beaches nearby then check out Opito Bay, Whangapoua Beach and New Chums Beach.
Otama Beach Swing
The Otama Beach swing down the far end of the beach is a cool little bonus feature. Over time this swing is well used and is a popular spot for people to stop off and stretch their legs.
Under the shade of a Pohutukawa tree, the swing is located on a quiet part of the beach. To find it, go to the carpark at the far end of the beach and walk down the stairs. The swing will be beside you on the left.
Due to movement of the sand underneath the swing, it is now a bit higher than it used to be. You will most likely need to help to get up on the swing if you are not on the tall side.
The swing is still very sturdy, so there is no need to worry too much about it. However always check it before jumping straight on.
Snorkelling
My favourite thing to do at Otama Beach is to go snorkelling. It’s a great low cost activity you can do pretty much anywhere in The Coromandel. Just as you come down form the hill, on the left hand side of the beach, there are a whole lot of rocks and tide pools coming off the cliff.
As the water here is so clear, it makes it easy to be able to see everything in the water around you.
There is not a huge amount of large fish around here, but there is still plenty to see. Swim around the rocks and look for all the tiny fish hiding out. Crack open a Kina and watch them all swarm around for food.
You can also spot plenty of other creatures, such as stingrays, starfish and even sharks.
Low tide is the best time to snorkel so you are closer to the rocks, however you will still enjoy yourself just as much at high tide.
The rock jump
It is a favourite kiwi past time to find something to jump into the water for a while at the beach. The Otama rock jump is perfect for just that.
The rock jump is on the western side of the beach close to the first carpark. It is not what I would call a large jump, but it is great fun for kids and others who don’t really like heights.
At Otama Beach the sand drops down quite quickly at the waters edge, so you don’t need to go out for to get into deep water. Because of this, even though the rock is close to the shore, the water is deep enough to jump into.
As always, anytime you are jumping into water from a height, make sure to check how deep it is before you jump in.
Note: If this is not thrilling enough for you, then head over to the Crayfish Bay Rock jump.
Accomodation In otama Beach
Accomodation in Otama Beach is limited due to there only being a few houses. Like most New Zealand beach towns there are no hotels, so your best bet is to rent out a bach.
Below are some of the popular bach’s at Otama Beach.
Otama Sands Hideaway – This cute studio has been recently refurbished and is just minutes away from the beach. There is space to sleep 5 people and is great for a family get away. Being a studio, it is also one of the cheaper places to stay at Otama Beach
Breathtaking Position at Otama – Overlooking the beach, this awesome bach makes the most of the stunning views. The expansive deck with views of the water is the star of the show, with the rest of the home having an authentic kiwi bach feel. This property sleeps 4 people.
Nearby Accomodation
If you are wanting somewhere other to stay rather than a bach, there are some local beach towns that do have other options.
The neighbouring town of Kuaotunu has a great campground. Just across the road form the beach, the Kuaotunu Campgorund is ideal for families and those wanting to enjoy being out in nature.
There are cabins as well as powered and non-powered sites, so there is something perfect for everyone. Make sure to book especially during the summer months as it can get busy.
If you are wanting to stay in hotel style accomodation then you will need to look in Whitianga. This is definitely the biggest town in the area and has plenty of places to stay to fit all needs.
Facilities in otama Beach
Otama Beach is quite isolated and there are not any shops or places to get food here. Luckily, just a short drive over the hill is the little beach town of Kuaotunu, where you will find all the basics and some extras.
Plan out your day so you can stop in Kuaotunu on the way through and grab anything you might need.
Food Options
Kuaotunu is only a 10 minute drive from Otama Beach and has some great spots to get some food. The vibe here is very laid back and has that typical beach town atmosphere.
For the basics, the Kuaotunu Store has a few choices of things to buy to make your own lunch. Snacks, bread, meats, fruit and many other basics is what you will find here. They do have small cabinet with things such as pies and baked goods.
Luke’s Kitchen is the only restaurant in the area and is very popular. They make amazing food here, especially the pizzas, and they have lots of other delicious food on the menu as well. They are also open for breakfast during the summer months. The Spanish eggs are my favouite.
Kua Kawhe is right next door to Luke’s Kitchen. They are a small cafe with good coffee and some great cabinet food. If you don’t feel like a full meal then Kua Kawhe is a great spot to grab bite to eat.
Bathrooms
There are no toilets at Otama Beach. The closest available toilets are in Kuaotunu or Opito Bay.
Wrap up – otama Beach
Otama Beach is an amazing place to go for a beach holiday. Whether you want to spend your whole time enjoying the beach or if you want to go exploring and find the popular local spots, Otama Beach really is the perfect place.
I hope you have enjoyed this guide, and have found out all you need to know about visiting this incredible beach.
