Whale Bay – Ultimate Guide to Northland’s Must See Beach
Whale Bay is a little slice of paradise on the Tutukaka Coast in Northland. Somewhat of a hidden gem, Whale Bay is a the perfect summer spot for a relaxing day at the beach.
Having been to many of the best beaches in Northland, Whale Bay is definitely at the top of my list for all time favourites and I visit this beach every time I am in the area.
Soft white sand, calm blue water and lush Pohutukawa trees are just some of the many reasons Whale Bay is the must visit beach this summer.
Why is Whale Bay a must Visit?
Why fly all the way to a tropical island when you have Whale bay right here at your door step? Whale Bay gives off that holiday feel the moment you set foot on the sand.
But what makes Whale Bay stand out? Why is it a must visit beach for everyone this summer?
Clear waters
One of my favourite things about Whale Bay is how incredibly crystal clear it is. I don’t think I have seen many spots with water this clear in New Zealand and I have been to many beaches.
The only other beach that rivals this spot is Crayfish Bay in the Coromandel.
Generally, the water is quite calm and not wavy due to being a bay protected by the headland. This means, the sand isn’t tossed around too much helping to give the water that clarity.
Water just always feels that little big more special when it is nice and calm and clear. It also makes Whale Bay great for snorkelling and spotting sea life.
Being so clear the water has a stunning green, blue colour to it that is incredibly mesmerising. This really emphasises that lush tropical island feel that makes Whale Bay so special. I truly think Whale Bay is one of the best beaches in Northland.
Sheltered, Sandy Beach
Many of the beaches in the Tutukaka Coast area don’t have a lot of trees for shelter. This can be hard on a hot summers day if you want a bit of shelter from the sun.
This is where Whale Bay is different. Here, Pōhutukawa trees line the edges of the beach. Due to their large size they provide plenty of shade along the sand and make a great spot to set up for the day.
The beach here isn’t too large and at high tide a large section of the sand is covered by water. Try and get here earlier in the day to avoid missing out on a spot.
I always find the left side of the beach has a bit more space where the sand isn’t wet.
Rocky pools and Snorkling
Whale Bay also is a good place to spot marine life. The rocky areas at both ends of the beach are a perfect hideout for many sea creatures.
On the left hand side of the beach, the rock ledge has plenty of cool rock pools to investigate. It is easy to find little fish and crabs in these pools, especially when the tide is lower.
Up the right hand end of the beach, the rocky area in the water is perfect for snorkelling. The water here is fairly calm most of the time so is great for being able to get up close to the rocks.
Get exploring and see what you can spot!
Where is Whale Bay?
Whale Bay is located near Matapōuri, on the Tutukaka Coast. This area is well known for having some amazing beaches and diving spots including Matapōuri Beach and the Poor Knights Islands.
Only a 45 minute drive from Whangārei and 10 minutes from Tutukaka, Whale bay is a great spot for a day trip to the beach.
There is some walking required to get down to the beach, with the shortest walk being around 20 minutes one way. Don’t let this deter you though as the walk is fairly easy and well worth it once you make it to the beach.
How to get to Whale Bay
Getting to Whale Bay is a bit of an adventure in itself. You will need to drive and then walk a little bit to get to this gem of a spot. But, it is definitely worth the extra effort to get there.
A car is required to get to Whale Bay as there is no public transport.
Driving to Whale Bay
The carpark for the main walk to Whale Bay is just up the the hill heading north from Matapōuri Beach. This is where I always park. It is the best place for the quickest walk down to the bay.
Look out for the large gravel area and the walk entrance. The car park is almost impossible to miss.
This carpark can get full during summer, especially over the holiday period. If you arrive and find no parking space, the other option is to park at Matapōuri Beach and walk over along the track going from there.
Walking to Whale Bay
There are a couple of different walking tracks you can use to get to Whale Bay. The quickest and main walk starts at the carpark above Matapōuri.
It will take around 15 minutes to walk down to Whale Bay. The track makes its way through a stunning native bush which provides much need shelter from the sun on a hot summers day.
Make sure to check out the little viewpoints scattered along the way. These offer incredible views out over the bay and up the coast.
The great thing about this track is that it takes you straight down to the beach. It is nearly impossible to go the wrong way.
If the carpark is full and you need to park down in Matapouri you can the Headland Track at the North end of the beach.
This way is a bit longer, being around a 40 minute walk, but it is a great alternative to get to Whale bay when it is busy.
Facilities at WHale Bay
The facilities at Whale Bay are quite basic but are all that is really needed. There are flushing toilets towards the right end of the beach with running water. This water is not potable so please do not drink the water.
There aren’t any picnic tables or seats by the beach so you will have to set up the towels on the sand. However, there are a few seats and tables scattered along the track down to the beach.
Where to stay – Accommodation
The Tutukaka Coast is a beautiful spot with many awesome places to stay. The main areas to stay that are close to Whale Bay are Matapouri and Tutukaka.
Staying in Matapouri
Matapouri is the closest accommodation to Whale Bay. This little kiwi beach town doesn’t have much in terms of shops and hotels, but that is all part of what makes it so kiwi.
If you want a chilled kiwi summer feel then Matapouri is the perfect place to stay. Enjoy the local walks and of course relax on the stunning Matapouri Beach. The local store has all your basic needs and summer favourites including fish and chips.
Matapouri Accommodation
As there are no hotels in Matapouri so check out these awesome baches for your next stay instead:
Staying in Tutukaka
Tutukaka is very different to Matapouri and is a lot more tourism focused. Tutukaka’s main draw card is its large marina. It is from here where all the trips out to the Poor Knights Islands leave from.
Tutukaka also has a bit more in terms of shops with the surf shop and a few cute artsy places too. There are also plenty of great places to eat here. Check out Schnappa Rock and The Marina Pizzeria.
Tutukaka Accommodation
Tutukaka has few different accommodation options including hotels, camp grounds and baches.
If staying in a hotel is what you are after then check out Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka. It is located right in the heart of Tutukaka right beside the marina.
If you are looking for something on the budget friendly side then check out the local campground, the Tutukaka Holiday Park. The have a range of cabins and tent sites available.
If you are wanting a more bach style place then check out Tutukaka Sunrise or Pacific Paradise Cottage.
Other things to do
There are so many epic things to do in Northland and on the Tutukaka Coast. This area is well known for its amazing beaches and summery vibe. Summer is definitely the best time to head North and explore this amazing area.
Snorkel or Dive at the Poor Knights Islands
Probably one of the most popular reasons for visitors to come to the area is to enjoy the Poor Knights Islands. This spot is both a nature reserve and a marine reserve!
The Poor Knights Islands are filled with sea life making it one of the best snorkel and dive spots in New Zealand. Many species of fish, Sting Rays and Turtles have made the Islands their home.
Of course the only way to see the Poor Knights Islands is to head out on a boat. Dive Tutukaka are great for those who want to go diving and Perfect Day are the best for a snorkel trip.
Walk to the Tutukaka Lighthouse
If you are looking for another walk close to Whale Bay then the walk to the Tutukaka Lighthouse is my recommendation.
This walk takes about an hour one way and gives you some amazing views at the lighthouse and along the way.
The walk does involve quite a bit of uphill walking but it isn’t extremely difficult. Each time I have been I have seen kids walking the track.
Make sure to time when you go with the tides and you do need to walk along a beach area which can be covered in water at high tide.
Head to Whale Bay this Summer!
Whale Bay is by far one of my favourite beaches to visit along the Tutukaka Coast. This beach is absolutely gorgeous and I can not recommend visiting here enough.
Make the most of your time in the area and check out everything thing else this amazing little slice of paradise has to offer.
