New Zealand - all beaches

Piha Beach is an ideal weekend escape to immerse yourself in nature. This black sand beach offers great spots to relax, read a book, have a picnic, or, for the more adventurous, go surfing. The water is crystal clear and exceptionally clean. However, finding parking on weekends can be challenging.

Glenduan Reserve is located 18 km from Nelson and is a beautiful, restful place to relax. It's a great spot for dog walks and seal spotting. There is a walking area along the side of the beach, and the reserve features two playgrounds, a skateboard area, toilets, a children's play area with a flying fox, and plenty of parking. The beach at Glenduan is very rocky. You can also reach Cable Bay from here, either via the beach or the 8 km Cable Bay Walkway that goes over the hill. The area is a Marine Reserve, so no fishing, netting, taking, or killing of marine life is allowed, and the removal of any natural material from the reserve is prohibited.

This place is incredibly welcoming. There's ample parking for up to 25 motorhomes, and the beach is just steps away. You'll find a rubbish bin and shared toilets on site, which are also used by the NZMCA park across the road. It's DOG friendly and very quiet, except for the occasional sounds of wekas.

This beach is absolutely breathtaking. The black sand is incredibly soft and doesn't cling to your skin. The views are stunning and it's not overcrowded. The waves are massive and appear quite turbulent. However, if you head further up, there's a designated swimming area where the waves seem smaller and less rough. It's only a 50-minute drive from Auckland CBD, making it a highly recommended destination to visit.

I absolutely love this place! The beach has beautiful sand, and it's perfect for a drive over the hill.

We absolutely adore visiting Karitane Beach, starting from the moment we catch sight of it from the lookout. The walk is wonderfully uncomplicated, and our furry friend enjoys it so much that he resists leaving. And honestly, we feel the same way.