Things to do in Coromandel Peninsula, North Island: The Best Beaches

March 23, 2022 Natalie Tallman

Discover the best top things to do in Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand including Pokohino Beach, Matarangi Beach, Otama Beach, Lonely Bay, Whangamata Beach, New Chums Beach, Cooks Beach, Whangapoua Beach, The Dunes Golf Resort, Opoutere Surf Beach.
Restaurants in Coromandel Peninsula

1. Pokohino Beach

Onemana, Coromandel New Zealand
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Pokohino Beach

2. Matarangi Beach

Matarangi New Zealand
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 39 reviews

Matarangi Beach

Reviewed By travelnomadnz - Cambridge, New Zealand

It’s an amazing place beautiful white sand. You can swim in the sea, kayak, paddle board or just walk along the beach. Matarangi Beach has something for everyone. Hints : sunscreen, moisturiser , jandals , sunhat , sunglasses and spends lots of time here

3. Otama Beach

Black Jack Road, Kuaotunu 3592 New Zealand
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 62 reviews

Otama Beach

Reviewed By puk284

This beach is everything you imagine a remote coromandel beach to look like. Breathtaking as you spy the beach for the first time. Pohutukawa trees line the edge providing the sought after shade in the height of summer, white sand and clear sparkling water. There is even a swing in the trees. Dogs are permitted all day at the southern end of the beach. One of the few besches that allow this. Swimming is good, although it has a steeper slope than Opito. Easy access down steps. A beach worth spending the day at with the whole family.

4. Lonely Bay

Near Purangi Road Shakespeare Cliff Lookout, Cooks Beach, Whitianga 3591 New Zealand
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Lonely Bay

Reviewed By Rantinrover - Biggar, United Kingdom

Access to Lonely Bay is a few minutes drive up Purangi Road from Cooks Beach settlement and then turn off onto an unsealed road signposted for Shakespeare Cliff. As you drive up here there is a turn-off to the right for the Lonely Bay car park. It’s worth driving or walking up to the Cliff lookout too as the views are very good, including one overlooking Lonely Bay. Lonely Bay is surrounded by cliffs but fortunately a stairway was constructed in 2005 to make it easy to get to the beach. There are quite a few steps but they have been designed in a pattern to make it easier to go up and down and it’s certainly worth the 5 to 10 minute effort! The beach is an unspoilt sandy cove with dramatic white cliffs towering overhead (literally in some cases) and some great limestone rock formations on the shore itself. There is plenty of woodland as a backdrop and shade including some huge pohutukawa trees which presumably are spectacular in season. We had a look around and took photos however had we been prepared it would have been a great spot to sit down and have a picnic and a swim. There were at most a half dozen others on the beach during our visit so the lonely aspect may be surprisingly true for such a scenic place. We preferred this beach to the one at Cooks Beach itself, although visitors to the area are spoilt for choice with Hahei, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach all within a short drive away. No facilitlies available so take what you need if you plan to spend some time here. A towel, a book, some food & drink and a camera would be my suggestion.

5. Whangamata Beach

Whangamata New Zealand
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 394 reviews

Whangamata Beach

Reviewed By TravellingMrsH07 - Auckland Central, New Zealand

Love this beach - it's so beautiful and even in the height of summer it still feels peaceful. Gorgeous sand, views out to the islands. The southern end (with the estuary) is great for kids, and the waves are good for body surfing/boogie boarding.

6. New Chums Beach

Mangakahia Dr, Whangapoua 3582 New Zealand https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Visiting-or-moving-to-the-Coromandel/Walkways-cycleway-and-fitness-trails/New-Chum-Beach-Whangapoua/
Excellent
70%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 152 reviews

New Chums Beach

Reviewed By 55adventuresKimberly

The walk up to the lookout is incredible, not for the faint at heart and maybe not after a good rain either. It's not accessible other than by foot. No Dogs allowed as there are nesting dotterels in the area. Native Pohutukawa trees cover the cliff faces with no houses or humans insight. Its stunning pink rocks and slightly pink sand are just what you need after about a 30 min walk over the saddle of the headlands.

7. Cooks Beach

Mercury Bay, Cooks Beach, Whitianga New Zealand
Excellent
47%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 57 reviews

Cooks Beach

Reviewed By 155jennied - Christchurch, New Zealand

Wonderful and very long beach. golden sands and great areas for swimming and exploring. A great day out.

8. Whangapoua Beach

Whangapoua New Zealand
Excellent
78%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Whangapoua Beach

Reviewed By sharonpX2558PP - Greater London, United Kingdom

Stunning white sand beach. Iconic beach store has everything you need. A few too many freedom camper vans have invaded the beach carpark turning the walkway into a minefield of cooking equipment,chairs & tables. On the whole is a real example of a NZ beach holiday spot. Blue sky,white sand & kids in the surf. Love it.

9. The Dunes Golf Resort

Matarangi Drive, RD 2, Matarangi 3592 New Zealand +64 7-866 5394 [email protected] http://www.thedunes.co.nz
Excellent
63%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

The Dunes Golf Resort

Perhaps the golf experience of a lifetime, The Dunes Golf Resort Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula is a must stop on any golfing holiday in New Zealand. With its spectacular location, lakefront villas, restaurant and bar, The Dunes Golf Resort Matarangi is New zealand's best kept secret.

Reviewed By xantheonix - Cambridge, New Zealand

Happen to drop by and decided to eat there. Great decision. Staff were very friendly and food came at a good speed. We wanted one of the items changed and that was not an issues. We didn't do desserts as we were too full. I had the bbq ribs and partner had the scotch steak. Both were great with generous servings. Well worth the visit and would eat there again next time we are in the area

10. Opoutere Surf Beach

Opoutere New Zealand +64 7-865 9152 http://www.thecoromandel.com/explore/listing/opoutere-beach
Excellent
74%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Opoutere Surf Beach

Reviewed By FitzandNero

Fabulous is all that needs to be said. Sense of isolation,no buildings by the beach, sand, surf and a diversity of birds. An entire beautiful and just me in the evening twilight. Bliss.

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