Ninety Mile Beach is undoubtedly New Zealand's most famous beach. The enormous stretch of Ninety Mile Beach is nearly enough of an incentive to go. This is particularly true if you are looking for one of New Zealand's top beaches. Ninety Mile Beach offers a five-day fishing competition once a year in late February or early March. Hundreds of fishermen cast from the shore in the hopes of catching the largest snapper, a delectable white-fleshed fish found in New Zealand waters.

With its stunning and seemingly unending coast, the beach is just as epic as it sounds. Surprisingly, the beach is 88 kilometers long and has a lot to offer. Swimming, surfing, kitesurfing, fishing, and other activities are included. Bodyboarding down the spectacular sand dunes is one of the most popular activities, especially among the kids. Digging for tuatua (a local clam) on the beach at low tide is a special treat. The Aupouri Forest, which runs parallel to the shore, gives a cool respite from the sun.

Location: Northland, New Zealand

Matapouri Bay is a beautiful, gorgeous bay located north of Paihia and the Bay of Islands. Matapouri Bay is 36 kilometers south of Whangarei and 2 kilometers south of Woolleys Bay. The bay has a unique appearance. It has a 700-meter golden sand beach that is bordered on both ends by enormous rocky headlands that form a keyhole into the South Pacific Ocean. This length of white sand is one of the favorites, and it is a favorite among families because of the safe swimming and exploration opportunities. At low tide, the Mermaid Pools are a terrific site for a family excursion, and there's a great walkway that leads to Whale Bay, which has some spectacular views.

Matapouri Bay is consistently towards the top of any list of "best beaches in New Zealand", and it lives up to the promise. The brilliant blue water and white beaches are appealing, and there are numerous hidden gems to discover.

Location: Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand

The beaches on the west coast of the North Island, not far from Auckland, are some of New Zealand's most beautiful. Piha, Bethells Beach, Anawhata, and other beaches are recognized for their beautiful black sands and unspoiled natural beauty. Muriwai Beach, on the other hand, was chosen for the list in part because it has something else entirely unique — a Gannet Colony. They have created some fantastic observation platforms to observe these incredible seabirds, and going to sunset is a truly spectacular experience.

Paragliders are lured by the equally ideal south-westerly winds encircling the shoreline, and surfers are a common sight, drawn to the favorable conditions of the water while soaring high above. The Muriwai Surf School, right before the Sand Dunz Beach Cafe, offers surfing lessons as well as the option of renting a wetsuit and a surfboard. The Muriwai Gannet Colony, located near the beach, is home to over a thousand pairs of gannets that migrate to the area each year from Australia between September and April. There is a parking park and a short walking track at the colony that leads to a few viewing platforms where tourists may get up close and personal with the colony and its rough shoreline.

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

On the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula, at Hot Water Beach, you may get one of the most unusual beach experiences in New Zealand. Hot Water Beach is famous throughout New Zealand for its steaming hot waters, which can be reached with a bucket and/or spade at low tide. The water is heated to 64°C and comes from an underground geothermal river. When you travel to the beach, it is not often that you get to use a free hot pool, but here you can!

At the appropriately titled Hot Water Beach, naturally, heated mineral water bubbles out from deep under the soil and emerges through the golden sand. You can dig your own spa pool in the sand near the rocks at the southern end of the beach. Dig up to two hours before or after low tide (opens in a new window) — that is, when the tide is low enough to expose the sand with hot water underneath. It is an odd but really wonderful sensation to be lying in a pool of hot water only a few meters from the cool sea.

Location: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

Wellington is one of the cities with a lovely beach in the center of the city. Oriental Bay Beach is Wellington's most popular beach and is ideal for swimming, picnics, strolling, and cycling. With the city skyline as a backdrop, this is an amazing day trip if you want to get out of the city but do not want to travel too far. One of Wellington's jewels, there are many surrounding eateries where you may enjoy a wonderful coffee or an ice cream treat after your beach activities!

The beach in Oriental Bay is open to the public at no charge. It's on Oriental Parade, which has many bus stations and overlooks the inner harbor. You can park your car on Oriental Parade or in a garage near the Freyberg Pool and Fitness Centre if you are going to Oriental Bay Beach. Travelers can enjoy dipping their toes in the sand or simply taking in the view from the beach even if it is too chilly or windy to swim. Visit the Wellington City Council's website for further information.

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

A list of New Zealand's top best beaches would be incomplete without a mention of the Nelson/Tasman region. With so many options, people chose Kaiteriteri Beach, which is located just south of the Abel Tasman National Park. This golden sand beach is a wonderful place to spend the day, and the kids will enjoy the crystal blue water, which is ideal for swimming. People travel to Kaiteriteri to stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or simply go for a swim, thanks to a beautiful, tiny estuary at the township's entrance and a long stretch of golden sand. If you have younger children, Kaiteriteri is a great area to take them kayaking or participate in other water sports.

Because the beach at Kaiteriteri is naturally curved, the water is normally very calm. It is also close to additional beaches and little coves that can be visited safely from the main beach. The Kaiteriteri store, which is directly on the sea, also sells ice cream to round off a fun day with the kids.

Location: Nelson/Tasman, New Zealand

Dunedin is another city with a fantastic beach right on its doorstep. The most popular beach in the area is St Clair Beach, which is also popular with families. St Clair Beach, which faces the Pacific Ocean, is New Zealand's most consistent surf break, and the waves are a playground for local surfers on any given day, summer or winter. There is surf for the kids to enjoy, as well as a fantastic new playground. Consider this while you're out swimming in the cool waters: there's nothing between you and the Antarctic!

The St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool, which dates from 1884 and is one of New Zealand's only heated seawater pools, is located at the end of the beach. Surfing lessons and board rentals are provided on the Esplanade during the summer months and by arrangement at other times of the year for water sports enthusiasts. A number of lodging alternatives with views of the beach are available in the area, which is about a ten-minute drive from the city center. Regular public bus service is available to and from the airport.

Location: Dunedin, New Zealand

There are various fantastic beaches in Canterbury and surrounding Christchurch, but one of the favorites is at Lyttelton, which is not far away. After passing through the Lyttelton Tunnel, turn right to reach the beautiful Corsair Bay beach with views of the Banks Peninsula. During the long, hot summer months, this white sand beach also boasts a big grassy area that is ideal for picnicking and hanging out, and the calm waters are ideal for swimming. A floating pontoon is common on New Zealand beaches, and Corsair Bay is no exception. You can paddle out to the pontoon or dive right in from the jetty.

The beach is largely shelly, but the water is not too deep and there is a raft to swim out to. You can opt to relax on the beach or a little higher up on a grassy bank, but be aware that there is minimal shade! You can spend a long time here if you bring a picnic. The pirate ship playground is a separate attraction. If you are lucky, you will come across a food truck selling ice cream, coffee, and other treats. There are other walking trails to discover - find out more below.

Location: Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand

Hokitika, a Kiwi favorite, is a new addition to the list of the top beaches in New Zealand. Hokitika, on the West Coast of the South Island, is a location that many visitors pass by on their way up or down the West Coast. Those who do stop by are rewarded with a picturesque beach town with lots to do. Hokitika Beach is known for the exceptionally high amount of driftwood that washes up on the shore, and a famous sign made of driftwood can be found there. It is not only a stunning and rough beach, but it is also a great spot to watch the sunset.

Hokitika Beach is a lovely, undeveloped beach for visitors. With mountain views, visitors are treated to lovely black sand, pebbles, and pounamu-jade. Swimming and surfing are only recommended for experienced swimmers because the waves can be fairly turbulent. Keep a watch out for seals and blue penguins. A picnic area and restrooms are also available at this beach.

Location: Hokitika, New Zealand

Last but not least, Nelson gets another entry! At the head of Tasman Bay, a quick 15-minute drive from Richmond, you will find 8 kilometers of safe sandy beach to explore. Rabbit Island is a magnificent 13-kilometer stretch of beach located 20 kilometers west of Nelson. A favorite area for leisure all year, and ideal for a picnic. The 'island' also features a variety of walking trails and the largest picnic area in the vicinity. If you are a cyclist, there are also some excellent mountain bike paths to be found.

This is the district's largest picnic space, making Rabbit Island ideal for any gathering. The public reserves are only open during daylight hours, and they may be closed if there is a high risk of fire. The perimeter road is a favorite among walking groups and is a great place to jog. Many sea birds, including the white heron and royal spoonbill, as well as many other wading birds, feed in the tidal waters as the tide comes in and out.

Location: Nelson, New Zealand