North Island Beaches

Guide to the Best Beaches in the North Island, New Zealand

By Liam Naden

Updated 05/16/17

The North Island is surrounded by wonderful beaches
The North Island is surrounded by wonderful beaches. Image Courtesy of Malene Holm

New Zealand has some of the finest coastline in the world, with many spectacular beaches and coves. Most of the best beaches are in the North Island. As it is generally warmer than the South Island, the North Island beaches are also more suitable for swimming and sunbathing.
Wherever you are travelling in the North Island you won't be too far from the coast. If you love beaches, these are where to find the best in the North Island.

Most of them are on the east coast, which is the sheltered side of the island. However, the west coast, although wilder, offers its own appeal.

Northland

Northland is the northernmost region in New Zealand. It has a subtropical climate that makes swimming possible at all times of the year. The best-known part of Northland is the Bay of Islands, although this isn't where you'll find the best beaches.

Discover Northland's beaches:

Auckland

Auckland has 64 official beaches and you don't need to go far to see some stunning coastline. There are great beaches on both the west and east coasts of the city, as well as on the islands lying just offshore in the Hauraki Gulf.

Discover Auckland's beaches:

Coromandel Peninsula

Remote, yet little more than an hour and a half from Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula has many beautiful beaches to explore.

Discover Coromandel Peninsula's beaches:

Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty is a broad sweep of coastline on the east coast of the North Island, to the immediate south of the Coromandel Peninsula.

It is one of the sunniest parts of New Zealand and a great place to enjoy the sea.

Discover the Bay of Plenty's beaches:

Best Beaches for a New Zealand Holiday

All but one of these are in the North Island: