{"id":44269,"date":"2024-10-08T10:04:09","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T21:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/?p=44269"},"modified":"2024-10-16T11:54:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T22:54:44","slug":"top-beach-destinations-for-summer-holidays-in-nz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/top-beach-destinations-for-summer-holidays-in-nz\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Beach Destinations for Summer Holidays in NZ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Summer in New Zealand is all about the great outdoors\u2014ocean-scented breeze, sunshine, and long beach days. From secluded spots to world-renowned surf spots, the country\u2019s coastline has something to offer for every kind of beach lover. With over 15,000km of coastline, New Zealand is the ultimate playground for sun-soaked summer holidays. We\u2019ve rounded up some of the most stunning beach destinations you need to explore, so grab your sunnies, pack a lunch, and whisk yourself away to the perfect summer escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bay of Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nestled in the Far North, with 140 islands dotting the region, the Bay of Islands offers a variety of beaches and coves to explore, from bustling beachfront to hidden coves where you can unwind in solitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer activities in Bay of Islands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Summer
Paihia. Photo credit: Miles Holden<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Home to the charming boutique towns of Paihia<\/a>, Russell, Kerikeri, and Opua, you can spend your days diving into the local culture, exploring the region\u2019s stunning beauty and history, and soaking up the best of Kiwi summer with golden, sandy beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a smorgasbord of activities to choose from: sailing, snorkelling, dolphin watching, and the famous Hole in the Rock cruise. And don\u2019t miss out on Urupukapuka Island, a quick ferry ride from Paihia and Russell, to discover a world of wonderful beaches and archaeological walks, or hire a paddle board or kayak and explore the bays by water (there\u2019s even the option of a half-day scuba diving experience).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the best accommodation deals in the Bay of Islands<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coromandel Peninsula<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to resist the lure of the Coromandel Peninsula, where rugged landscapes meet crystal-clear waters. One of the most popular holiday destinations<\/a>, the Coromandel has it all\u2014pristine beaches<\/a>, misty forests, and a laid-back vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer activities in Coromandel Peninsula<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Summer
Cathedral Cove. Photo: Miles Holden<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Relax in the heated mineral waters of The Lost Spring Geothermal Spa in Whitianga, or build your own hot water pool at the ocean\u2019s edge at the Hot Water Beach. If you\u2019re up for a more adventurous stay, explore the Karangahake Gorge or hike the jagged forest ranges of The Pinnacles. And then, of course, there\u2019s Cathedral Cove (currently closed, check the DOC website<\/a> for latest updates)\u2014one of the most picturesque spots in the Coromandel and famous for its iconic shot in the Chronicles of Narnia<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a classic Kiwi beachside holiday, don\u2019t forget to stop at Cooks Beach<\/a>. With its laidback town vibe and a beautiful beach, it\u2019s the perfect location nestled between Coromandel hotpots such as the Cathedral Cove and Whitianga and offers plenty of things to do during summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find summer accommodation in the Coromandel Peninsula<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bay of Plenty<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Summer
Mount Maunganui<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Bay of Plenty offers an abundance of natural beauty with its pristine beaches seemingly stretching endlessly under the summer sun. The crown jewel of the region is the iconic Mount Maunganui<\/a>\u2014its summit walk is the most Instagrammed spot in New Zealand with panoramic views from the top. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Coromandel in the north.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bay of Plenty summer activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With more than 125km of coastline and safe swimming beaches, the Bay of Plenty is the perfect place to surf (or to learn to surf). A visit to Papamoa Beach is also recommended; with its 16km white sand beach on one side and the picturesque P\u0101p\u0101moa Hills on the other, it\u2019s one of the best beaches in the region to kick back and relax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also discover the beauty of Moutohor\u0101\/Whale Island, a protected sanctuary for rare and endangered flora and fauna. There are only three operators with permission to land on the island (due to its Department of Conservation status) and all tours are limited to small groups. Highlights include a visit to the Moutohor\u0101 fur seal colony, digging your own hot pool at Sulphur Bay beach, and encountering the birdlife that calls this island home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the best holiday deals in the Bay of Plenty<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raglan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Summer
Ngarunui Beach, Raglan. Photo: Camilla Rutherford<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Black sand beaches, surfing, a bohemian vibe\u2014Raglan<\/a> is a beach town like no other. With its proximity to Auckland (just under two hours), it seems like the most obvious choice for a quick weekend getaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer activities in Raglan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A surfing mecca, Raglan has some of the best left-hand point breaks in the world, with Manu Bay (The Point) being popular among surf-riders\u00ad\u00ad\u2014it was also featured in the 1996 cult surfing movie Endless Summer<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If surfing isn\u2019t your thing, head to Ocean Beach\u2014a fine place to swim or even perhaps get a surfing lesson\u2014or Ngarunui Beach, ideal for sunbathing. Plus, the small, pretty township also has plenty of boutique cafes, numerous heritage buildings, and several excellent walks (look up Bridal Veil Falls and the Te Toto Gorge Track).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re chasing the perfect wave, lazing around the black sand beach, or soaking in the culture and history the region has to offer, Raglan is nothing short of magical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the best summer holiday home deals in Raglan<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mangawhai<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Summer
Mangawhai Heads. Photo: Chris Gin | Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Another quick drive from Auckland (90 minutes), Mangawhai<\/a> has sweeping golden beaches and clear waters. This charming town offers two very different beach experiences\u2014a surf beach on one side and safe harbour beaches on the other, both perfect for family picnics or a lazy summer afternoon swimming and paddle boarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer activities in Mangawhai<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For a spectacular view of the ocean, head to the Mangawhai Cliff Walkway. The nine-kilometre (return) track is one of the best short walks and is suitable for children. It starts along the beach, winding past ancient p\u014dhutukawa teetering on the sheer slopes before descending to the stony beach below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mangawhai also offers a range of water sports: there are charter boats available to take you fishing or diving and you can also surf cast off the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you leave, make sure you stop by Bennetts of Mangawhai Chocolate Shop and Factory, a boutique chocolate shop with a selection of premium artisanal chocolate and a caf\u00e9 with a delectable menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find holiday home accommodation at Mangawhai<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summer in New Zealand is all about the great outdoors\u2014ocean-scented breeze, sunshine, and long beach days. From secluded spots to world-renowned surf spots, the country\u2019s coastline has something to offer for every kind of beach lover. With over 15,000km of coastline, New Zealand is the ultimate playground for sun-soaked summer holidays. We\u2019ve rounded up some […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":134,"featured_media":44342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Top Beach Destinations for Summer Holidays in NZ | Bachcare Blog","_seopress_titles_desc":"Explore the best beach destinations in NZ for your summer holidays. From golden sands to stunning coastal views, find your perfect seaside getaway.","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[260],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-44269","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-beach-destinations"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/134"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44269"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44512,"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44269\/revisions\/44512"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bachcare.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}