Île du Nord plages

Named the best beach, this spot offers numerous safe swimming areas, whether you prefer surfing or calm waters. Enjoy long sandy beach walks that are conveniently close to a laid-back main street filled with excellent dining and shopping options. The locals are friendly and cheerful—after all, who wouldn't be happy living in paradise? 😁

We love coming to this beach every time. When the tide is low, there are fantastic rock pools that the kids can explore. The playground is always a favorite among the children, and we adore the picnic spots along the sandy shore. The public facilities are also good. The walkways are pleasant, and the views are stunning.

If you crave solitude and ample space, this beach is perfect for you. Ideal for long walks and enjoying the sunset, we also noticed some people fishing there. It's conveniently located less than 30 minutes from the turnoff at SH23 (via Te Mata Road, then onto Ruapuke Road). The final stretch of the road is gravel and can be narrow in spots. From the parking area, it's a brief walk through the dunes to reach the beach (make sure to stick to the well-trodden path to avoid harming the plants). On hot days, bring jandals as the black sand can get extremely hot and burn your feet.

This beach is a fantastic place for a picnic since it's not very crowded, but it's not ideal for swimming due to the muddy and shell-filled water.

The beach was stunning and peaceful when I visited in November 2019.

The tide is quite strong, so it's important to swim with caution. The beach offers a stunning viewpoint, and I could have easily spent the entire day simply admiring the ocean.