WHANGAMATA BEACH
Tucked away beneath the Coromandel Ranges of New Zealand’s North Island, Whangamata is a picturesque beachside community, home to around 4,000 laid-back residents who adore the great outdoors. During summer months, tourists travel from all over the country to experience this little slice of heaven we are lucky enough to call home. With spectacular scenic mountain backdrops, the bluest of oceans stretching for as far as the eye can see and pristine golden sandy beaches, there’s much to love about our pretty town on the Coromandel Peninsula. Awaken each morning to a glorious eastern sunrise, then spend leisurely days surfing, swimming, paddle-boarding, mountain biking or fishing. Alternatively, participate in Whangamata yoga to balance mind, body and spirit in this beautiful coastal location. Afterwards, explore Whangamata’s main street, a rockin’ strip brimming with boutique-style Whangamata shops, chic cafes and eateries before returning to your accommodation in Whangamata for a restful, comfortable night’s sleep.
TRAVEL TIMES & DISTANCE
Auckland
Tauranga
Hamilton
Rotorua
Wellington
Thames
Coromandel Town
Whitianga
Hahei
Hot Water Beach
Tairua
Pauanui
Waihi
Paeroa
* Distance is approximate & travel time may vary
160km
90km
124km
145km
600km
57km
110km
76km
60km
60km
36km
35km
30km
50km
2.10 hr
1.20 hr
1.50 hr
2.10 hr
7.30 hr
50 mins
1.45 hr
1.10 hr
59 mins
59 mins
33 mins
26 mins
33 mins
50 mins
The Maori name 'Whangamatā' comes from the words 'whanga' = bay, and 'matā' = hard stone, this is reference obsidian stone that washes up on the beach.
What does Whangamatā mean?
New Zealand's Best Beach: Coromandel's Whangamatā
"For generations of Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty kids, Whangamatā is Ground Zero for sun, sea, sand and summer. Surf too. It's not so much a holiday destination as a rite of passage - particularly for New Year's Eve.
So we weren't completely sideswiped when we ran this quest in 2018 and our readers voted the Coromandel hotspot as their favourite beach.
Its ocean beach provides some of the best surfing breaks – the "Whanga' bar" is legendary - and its saltwater estuaries offer some of the safest swimming in the country. It's even got a bridge for kids to perfect the ultimate manu. Kayaking, kite and windsurfing, SUP'ing (that's stand-up paddle surfing for the uninitiated), boogie-boarding, ditto.
Two hours' drive from Auckland, 10 minutes or so less from Hamilton, Whangamatā is just close enough and just far enough from the big smoke to be the perfect getaway.