Where Are The Best Beaches In Hawkes Bay, New Zealand?
Hawke’s Bay may be best known for its wine, but the coastline is equally worth a mention. There are a surprising variety of beaches dotted along the east coast. This guide breaks down the best beaches in Hawke’s Bay by area, so you can easily plan that next stop.
Best Beaches on the Māhia Peninsula
⛱️ Mahanga Beach
The Māhia Peninsula is a real gem on the East Cape of the North Island of New Zealand – surfers will love Mahanga Beach for its breaks, but swimming conditions are fantastic here, too. The beach boasts superior water quality and great fishing, as well.
⛱️ Māhia Beach
Māhia Beach is one to visit for of the same beauty on this gorgeous peninsula. After you’ve had a swim, a short climb up Mokotahi Hill will afford you awesome views over the Beach.
⛱️ Opoutama Beach / Blue Bay
Opoutama Beach – otherwise known as Blue Bay – is very beginner-surfer friendly. It’s, again, a great spot also for swimmers, fishers, and campers.
⛱️ Blacks Beach
Blacks Beach is loved for its consistently good surfing – and great fishing, too. There’s a huge variety of fish here and amazing scenery. Swimmers would do well to avoid this one – it’s just a little more dangerous than the others.
Best Beaches in the North
Waipātiki Beach gets a little category of its own here – it’s local to the little settlement of Tangoio, and a worthwhile little stop if you are travelling into Hawkes Bay via the coastal route.
⛱️ Waipātiki Beach
This is a great beach for swimmers, with lifeguard patrolling in summer, and the nearby stream is a good paddling spot for really young ones, too.
Best Beaches in Napier
Napier, one of the smaller cities on the North Island, is the main hub of activity for the region. This small city is coastal and has two beaches in particular that certainly make the best beach cut:
⛱️ Westshore Beach
Westshore Beach is a bit of a go-to location for Napier locals, with relatively safe swimming conditions due to the lifeguards patrolling during summer.
⛱️ Ahuriri Beach
Arguably even safer than Westshore for swimming, and with an awesome boardwalk nearby, Ahuriri Beach is a local favourite.
Best Beaches in the South
These next beaches are further down the coastline of the Hawkes Bay region, below the populated areas of Hastings and Napier, and below Cape Kidnappers as well. If you are continuing southbound on your way into the Wairarapa area of the Wellington region, pick one or two of these to check out.
⛱️ Waipuka / Ocean Beach
Waipuka Beach is loved by surfers, swimmers, and families alike. Such a good all-rounder beach!!
⛱️ Waimārama Beach
Go, Because: Like Waipuka Beach, Waimārama Beach is also a good all-rounder! You’ll be able to see Bare Island (otherwise known as Motu-o-Kura) from here, which can be accessed by kayak or boat if you are confident taking yourself out there safely. If you do go to the island, keep an eye out for our native little blue penguins.
⛱️ Kairakau Beach
Kairakau Beach has some impressive cliffs behind it, some rock pools to explore at low tide, and a campground in close proximity – a spot that definitely deserves time to be thoroughly explored.
⛱️ Pourerere Beach
Pourerere Beach is a long stretch of idyllic coastline, popular with all types of beachgoers, and features a lagoon, where swimming is safer than in the surf.
⛱️ Blackhead Beach
Blackhead Beach is part of the Te Angiangi Marine Reserve, the only marine reserve in the region, so its rock pools are worth a look – at low tide. Go and see what you can find!
Whether you’re after a calm swim, a family-friendly beach, or somewhere to catch a wave, Hawke’s Bay has a solid set of choices. It’s a region that you can should really take your time to explore as you will keep finding new favourites along the way.