Blessed with about 15,000 kilometres of coastline - the ninth longest in the world makes New Zealand a veritable land of stunning beaches.
Bordering the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the New Zealand's beaches range between sandy and pristine to leafy, rugged, warm for swimming and surfing. Some are even known for their rock formations. These are somewhere you would want to set your foot on.
Cathedral Cove
Located on Coromandel, North Island the knowledge about this beach is practically unmissable — it's featured on every NZ tourism brochure. You might have spotted it on various online feeds as well, what is being featured in The Chronicles Of Narnia, not to mention the multiple music videos. There are beautiful rock formations accessible both by foot and by kayaks.
Ninety Mile Beach
Misleading perhaps by name — it's actually about 55 miles long — this is a registered highway and used as a driving stretch. One can do some awesome sand dune boarding, most popularly at Te Paki Stream. This Northland, North Island coastline can be reached by the Te Paki Coastal Track or via a bus.
Mission Bay
When in NZ, one must make it a mission to visit this bay, which is one of the closest beaches to Auckland Central. One can take a bus or simply walk down to enjoy day-long bathing, beach barbecues or amaze at the distant Rangitoto Island.
Abel Tasman National Park
As hard it's to leave out Abel Tasman National park situated at the north end of South Island, on a visit, as it's equally difficult to choose a favourite among its golden sand beaches with native forests in the background. Some do stand out.
Medlands Beach
Mention must be made of this small and secluded Abel Tasman National park spot. A perfect environment for a quiet lunch, one can explore this site via the eponymous coastal track or by kayaking.
Awaroa Inlet
Also in Abel Tasman park, the series of beaches at this inlet changes with the tides. Choose a low-tide as the timing of your walk on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, else; one can always avail water taxis to ply the waters.
Sandfly Bay
Again, also accessible by water taxis from the towns — Kaiteriteri and Marahau or via Abel Tasman Coastal Track, this preserved beach is bound to stay on the mind for a long time.
Torrent Bay
One of the most popular drop-off points for water taxis in the Abel Tasman National Park, the warm waters of this long-stretching beach makes it a great swimming spot.
