Best Beaches in the Coromandel for Families
The Coromandel Peninsula is one of New Zealand’s favourite destinations, especially in summer.
Famous for its natural beauty, cliffside views, secluded bays, idyllic beachside towns and not forgetting the incredible Pinnacles hike which gives impressive views of the Coromandel.
But, more importantly, the Coromandel is home to some of the best beaches in New Zealand. Making it the perfect places for families looking for quality family beach time.
Getting to some of these beaches can be a challenge due to the condition of the roads but once you arrive you’ll see it was all worth it.
There is plenty of accommodation options within the Coromandel too. We often camp at one of the many campsites around the region. Sometimes, however, we book a beach bach via Airbnb or Book a Bach.
In our opinion, these are the best beaches in the Coromandel as chosen by us. We love to spend time here with our kids or when we holiday with other families.
Our Favourite Coromandel Beaches
New Chums Beach – Wainuiototo Bay
New Chums Beach, a quiet piece of paradise
Make sure you check out New Chums Beach, you won’t be disappointed. It’s 1km of pristine white sand and the sea is bright blue.
It’s a very secluded spot. Here you can find your own uninterrupted piece of paradise coming it one of the best beaches in the Coromandel.
One of the things we love about this beach is the adventure to get there. There is no car assess instead it’s a 30-minute walk through beautiful bush and around the north end of Whangapoua Beach. There are also some great spots and stunning views to take photos along the way.
It is described as one of the best beaches in New Zealand as well as featured in articles around the world.
You will need to take everything with you; food, water as well as anything else you need to enjoy your day. There are no shops, cafes, and toilets here.
It’s a great beach for swimming, building sandcastles, and riding the waves.
Cooks Beach
Sunset view of Cooks Beach from Shakespeare Cliff lookout
The crescent-shaped beach extends for around 3km and is once more is a popular tourist spot. As you can guess it’s named after Captain James Cook. There is a wide range of accommodation options from camping to renting baches.
It’s also only a few minutes away from Ferry Landing. This is the point where you can take the ferry across to Whitianga.
While you are there make sure to visit Lonely Bay, it’s a short walk from Cooks beach and is more secluded. Just head into Shakespeare Cliff Reserve (stunning views of Mercury Bay) and wander down the steps in Lonely Bay.
Cooks Beach has a long stretch of white sand with plenty of space to find your own private spot. It’s a pretty safe place to swim with kids as waves here a low and the becomes deeper gradually however always make sure you keep an eye on your kids when they are in the water.
Purangi Estuary, this is a stunning quiet spot. Great for families, swimming and picnics
At the southern end of Cooks Beach, you’ll find the Purangi Reserve. The calm estuary runs through here and it’s a perfect spot the chillout and swim in the water. There are picnic areas, bathrooms, and a kid’s playground. Hahei Explorer also launches from here, depending on the weather.
Hot Water Beach
People making small hot water pools in Hot Water beach. It one of the most popular geothermal attractions in New Zealand
This beach is one of the most visited in the Coromandel and for good reason.
You see within two hours on either side of low tide you will see many people digging in the sand. Here an underground natural hot spring filters up through the sand to the surface. In essence, you are creating your own spa pool.
Finding the right spot can be a challenge though as in some areas the water temperature can reach 64c.
You might be lucky enough to find an empty hole as people come and go regularly, just make sure to check the water temperature as that could be a reason why it’s empty.
The local iwi (Ngāti Hei) requests that visitors don’t eat or drink while soaking in the holes.
If you are looking to cool off after your soak please make sure to swim between the flags as this is patrolled by lifeguards. Hot Water Beach is known for its dangerous rip currents, holes and large waves.
Just make sure you have a spade, if you don’t you can hire them at the general store.
To locate this area just look for the off-shore rocks, they are opposite the beach. Otherwise, you will see everyone digging in that one certain area where you arrive.
Don’t show up at high tide either as this part of the beach will be under water.
Hahei Beach
The beautiful Bay of Hahei is surrounded by forest, rock formations. Make for a great holiday spot
I’ve been making it to this beach ever since I was a kid and this certainly is one the best beaches in the Coromandel. It’s sheltered as the offshore islands provide a breakwater. So swimming here is perfect, Lukas and Sawyer love the water here.
Hahei beach is around 1.5 km long and great for a morning or evening stroll. At the southern end of the beach, there is Te Pare historic reserve, an ancient Māori pa site. If you head up you will see some stunning views.
At the northern end, you will notice the offshore island this is all part of the marine reserve. It’s a great place to snorkel, kayak, and even dive. The sea life here is in abundance. Also at the northern end, you will see steps. This is the starting point for Cathedral Cove, we often start from here as the car park at the top of the hill is always full.
From Hahei beach kayak tours for Cathedral Cove start here if you are looking for a family water adventure.
If you a looking for accommodation, make sure to check out the Hahei Beach Resort. There is something for every budget. It’s a great spot as it’s opposite the beach.
Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. A must visit!
This beach is on everyone’s bucket list when they visit the Coromandel. It’s a popular tourist hot spot for locals and tourists alike.
One of the reasons we love heading to Cathedral Cove is the walk to get there. It takes roughly 45 minutes. It’s a sealed pathway with a few up and down climbs but both our boys have walked it before they turned five.
I remember walking it as a kid and back then there was no sealed pathway, just a dirt trail. If you look carefully now you will still see parts of the old trail.
On the way you’ll come across Stingray bay, this is the best place to snorkel as the waters are crystal clear. There is a snorkel trail here too. Just make sure to bring your snorkel gear with you.
Taking the final few steps to the beach you will notice the pohutukawa trees surrounding the edges of this stunning white sand beach.
Looking to your left you’ll see the giant naturally formed archway that connects two secluded coves. This is the perfect spot to grab a photo though it can be a challenge to get the perfect shot with so many people around. But you just might get lucky.
The moment you feet hit the sand you can see why this is one of the best beaches in the Coromandel.
The beach is reasonably sheltered but waves can get up so just be aware when swimming with your kids. But after a 45-minute walk, it’s a great spot to cool off.
Remember to take everything (food and drink) with you and bring it back. No rubbish bins here.
One of the best things we did was take a tour on the Hahei Explorer, here you get to see Cathedral Cove and the Marine Reserve from a different perspective. The drivers on the Hahei Explorer are so knowledgeable too.
2 Hour Scenic Sea Cave Adventure – Sea Cave Adventures (book here for the best discounts)
Matarangi Beach
Matarangi beach sunset. Great beachspot for families.
This is one of our favourite and best beaches in the Coromandel, we have often visited and stayed here for family holidays. The beach itself is 4.5 km of white sand and the sparkling water clearly makes it the perfect place to swim with little ones.
With so much beach at your disposal, it’s easy to find your own secluded spot to relax, enjoy and create many family holiday memories.
If you are lucky you might even spot whales and dolphins from the shore, depending on the season.
The beach is sheltered from the outer islands such as Great Barrier, Cuvier and the Mercury Islands
The beach is also great for a morning stroll, we often grab a coffee, head across to the beach and wander up or down the coastline.
Towards the end of the peninsula, you will come across the Dune Golf course. It’s a great course if you are into your golf. We have played the odd 9 holes with Lukas. You can rent a cart too… if you need it.
Matarangi is on a peninsula with the beach on one side and the harbour on the other. On the harbour-side here people can launch their boats for a day of fishing.
There is a range of accommodation options here too, just check Airbnb or book a bach. There is also a small shopping centre that has a cafe, four square as well as a couple of others to get supplies.
Whangamata Beach
The flower covered sand dunes of Whangamata Beach. Hauturu island in the background
This is the beach to visit if you like to surf and there are waves here for all surfing abilities, swimmers, and boogie boarders. Whangamata Beach is known for some of the best breaks in New Zealand. There is also the famous Whangamata Bar, however, this should really only be surfed by experts.
At either Whangamata beach are estuaries just waiting to be explored. They also make for great kayaking or SUP adventures. There are a few stores in town that hire out SUPs, kayaks, and surfboards.
Just of Whangamata beach (600m) is Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary also known as Donut Island. This is a must-do if you have a SUP or kayak. It features a turquoise lagoon and is surrounded by volcanic rock and native flora and fauna. It is recommended that you go with a certified guiding company.
Here you will learn about its rich history, stories and wildlife that call this spot home. Surfsup is just one of the companies that run tours out to Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary and are worth every penny.
The beach here in Whangamata stretches 6km long so there is plenty of space to find your idyllic spot. The great news for families is Whangamata Beach is patrolled in the summer by lifeguards, just make sure you swim between the flags.
The dunes are home to the endangered Dotterel bird species. These areas are well fenced, just use the marked access points to enter the beach.
The town is just a short walk from the beach and there are plenty of cafes, ice cream shops, and restaurants the explore.
Whenuakura Island Deluxe Guided Kayak Tour – Surfsup Whangamata (book here for the best discounts)
Intro to Surf Group Lesson – Surfsup Whangamata (book here for the best discounts)
Pauanui Beach
Pauanui, a small town and a popular holiday getaway. It is seen here from the slopes of Mount Paku in the neighboring town of Tairua
Pauanui Beach spans around 2kms and is another spot if you are looking to catch a few waves. More importantly, they are beginner-friendly, but there are also areas for the more experienced surfer.
Check out Hayden and the team at Outback Surf, our kids learned to surf with these guys and they loved it. Hayden is relaxed, supportive and makes sure your kids have fun while catching a few waves.
With 2km’s of beach, there is plenty of beach for everyone. Families might want to stay close to the Lifeguard patrol tower and swim between the flags.
This is another beach where the dunes are home to the endangered Dotterel bird species. So please avoid entering these areas and use the beach access points.
At the southern end of the beach is a trail that leads to the top of Pauanui Mountain. It’s a 400m climb and can be steep in some places however the panoramic view and photo opportunities at the summit make it well worth it.
On the opposite side to the beach is the estuary, we’ve taken the kids swimming there too. The best spot we found was just to the left of the bridge that takes keen fishermen and those looking to try and catch dinner onto a pontoon.
This is located at the end of the Pauanui peninsula. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset.
There is a range of holiday accommodation options too from campaigning right the way through to a house on the beach.
Otama and Opito Bay
Otama Beach is one beach you must check out
These two bays are very close to each other and definitely worth a visit. It’s around 25 minutes north of Whitianga.
Otama Bay is the first beach that you will arrive at, the beach itself stretches out around 2km and its mix of clear turquoise water and white sand makes it a real paradise that not many people know about. That’s right no crowds.
There are no lifeguards here but we swam with our kids, we just made sure to keep an extra eye on them as you would always do.
It’s mostly underdeveloped, which is a reason we like it, but there are a couple of holiday baches scattered around the hills.
This really is considered one of Coromandel’s ‘hidden gems’
View of the Opito bay, beautiful spot
Opito Bay is just a few minutes further down the road. Much like Otama Bay, it is relatively unknown. Its long white sandy beach and pristine waters make it a ‘must visit’
At the southeast end of the beach, you will find an old Pa site with terraces and pits. A little further on (across farmland) is Crayfish Bay. Beautiful sheltered spot and great for a swim.
They are a few more holiday homes here that you can rent. Or if you are just visiting for the day make sure to bring a picnic as there are plenty of secluded spots along the way.
Fletcher Bay
The last stop in the far north of the Coromandel, scenic Fletcher Bay is reached by a long and dusty gravel road
Last but not least on our list of best beaches in the Coromandel is Fletcher Bay. If you fancy a drive to the top of Coromandel Peninsula when check out this place. It’s only accessible via a winding gravel road.
The beach is largely part of a campsite that has vacancies and space for up to 300 people. The campsite and beach are run by DOC.
You can swim here but again this beach has no lifeguards.
There is a 3 hour (one-way) walk along Coromandel Coastal Walkway to Stony Bay.
You will need to bring everything with you as there are no shops. You will also need to take your rubbish with you when you leave too.
This really is a great spot if you want to get away from it all. You can dive for seafood or snorkel around.
Final Thoughts
Whangamata Beach, plenty of room to find your own spot
There are so many amazing beaches within the Coromandel, no doubt we would have offended someone for not including a certain beach.
However, if we explore more of this area our list will evolve and grow.
Like any beach, you have days where it’s calm and relaxing while other days it can be rough and wild with strong rips and undertows.
Always check your surroundings before venturing into the water.
Both Lukas and Sawyer love travelling around and holidaying in the Coromandel. They enjoy swimming, boogie boarding, or surfing at different beaches while also building sandcastles, playing beach cricket or football and if they find the right beach at the right tide time… exploring rock pools.
Living in Papamoa a trip to any of these beaches ranges from around two hours right up to five hours.
As a family, we happily camp or stay in an Airbnb bach. We use this as our base and then go off on day trips looking for new beaches and areas to explore.
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Hi, I've been fortunate enough to have travelled for over 25 years. My parents gave me the travel bug when I was 10 years old by taking my sister and I to the USA and Mexico for two months. I've travelled by myself, with mates, with my wife and now as a family of four. My goal is to inspire our families to get out and see the world.
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