11 incredible black sand beaches in New Zealand
Here are some of the best places to find black sand
New Zealand might be more known for its mountains than its beaches — Middle Earth is famously rugged and forested.
Yet with an enormous amount of coastline stretching up and down the narrow North and South Islands, New Zealand’s beaches are incredible.
And among all of the bays, coves and coastlines, black sand beaches stand out for their unique beauty.
Black sand is common along the west coast of the North Island. It’s volcanic in origin, made of titanomagnetite – a mixture of titanium and iron.
This titanomagnetite comes from Mount Taranaki and is swept hundreds of kilometres up the coast of the island. It is ground into small, fine grains as it drifts north, so the black sand beaches have distinctly soft, glittering sands.
These are some of the most beautiful black sand beaches New Zealand has to offer.
jump ahead.
1. Piha, Auckland
Piha Beach, on Auckland's rugged west coast, is easily one of the best beaches in the Auckland region.
Piha is located a 45 minute drive west of Auckland's city centre. The road winds through the lush forest of the Waitakere Ranges, climaxing in a view of Piha framed by bush-clad hills.
In the middle of Piha beach is Lion Rock, a monolith that divides the northern and southern ends of the beach.
Piha’s powerful waves are a magnet for surfers, so the area has the laid back, salt sprayed feel of a classic small surf town. There are lots of small holiday homes tucked into the bush, as well as classic Kiwi cottages.
For those less drawn to the wild waves, you can take long beach walks and sink your toes into the black sand, or spread out a picnic blanket and admire the sunset.
2. Muriwai, Auckland
Muriwai is the northernmost of Auckland’s West Coast beaches. From Muriwai Regional Park there’s pretty much nothing but 60 kilometres of open coast sweeping northwards.
Muriwai is also one of the most accessible West Coast beaches. When there’s no traffic — which is usually early in the morning — I can drive from Grey Lynn to Muriwai in around 40 minutes.
I most often head to Muriwai Beach for the surf. It’s a bit less gnarly than Piha, so more beginner friendly on smaller days. It does get busy, but it’s a huge beach with multiple breaks, so you can always spread out and find a spot.
If you’re keen to surf at Muriwai but are only a beginner to intermediate surfer, I recommend following Muriwai Surf School on Facebook. They post great surf reports each weekend with recommendations on times and tides, which are super helpful.
If you need a lesson, Muriwai Surf School also has some great teachers. I see them out in the water with a range of levels.
The beach at Muriwai isn’t as beautiful as other West Coast beaches. A lot of vehicles and dogs means the sand can be a bit churned up, and on a nice day in summer it can get packed.
Having said that, I do love reading my book on a picnic blanket after a surf, and the sunsets are beautiful.
It’s also possible to swim at Muriwai, but I would do so with caution. The waves and currents are powerful. In summer there are lifeguards and flags, so stick to that area.
The main draw to Muriwai Beach, if you’re not a surfer, is the gannet colony.
Ōtakamiro Point, a rocky headland reached via a short track from the carpark, is the site of one of New Zealand’s few mainland gannet (takapu) breeding colonies.
The track is only 1.3 kilometres, so it takes less than half an hour, but there are many great photo opportunities.
3. Anawhata Beach, Auckland
Anawhata is one of Auckland’s best secret beaches. You have to work a bit harder to visit this black sand beach, but it’s well worth the effort.
The drive to the carpark is a dusty gravel track. From the carpark, you’ll already have a great view. The track down to the beach is steep and takes around 25 minutes.
I see plenty of people lugging picnic gear down this track, so it’s doable in jandals and carrying your beach bits and pieces.
Surrounded by tall cliffs, with a stream coming out of the bush and the constant roar of waves, Anawhata is a classic wild West Coast beach. The water is clear but the waves here are strong and because of its remoteness it’s not the safest for swimming.
Here is another West Coast secret - there is a council-run bach at Anawhata, Keddle House, which you can rent out for surprisingly cheap.
I’ve never stayed here but every time I’m in Anawhata I’m intrigued by the possibility - it would be magical to have the beach to yourself into the evening, and enjoy stellar views from a retro bach.
4. Te Henga/Bethells Beach, Auckland
Te Henga is the original Māori name for Bethells, the West Coast beach south of Muriwai. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Auckland CBD out to Bethells.
The beach itself is a vast stretch of black volcanic sand. To reach it, you might have to splash through the ankle-deep Waitākere Creek.
Stroll up and down the beach or explore the walking trails around the giant dunes and Lake Wainamu, located behind the beach. There is a waterfall at the far end of the lake where you can go for a freshwater swim.
Bethells is also the starting point for the Te Henga Walkway that runs up the coast to Muriwai.
On Friday evenings in summer, head to Bethell’s Beach cafe for music and food in a beautiful environment.
Parking can get tight at Bethells and I’ve seen people try and park on yellow lines along the side of the road close to the beach. It’s a narrow road and the end result tends to be wing mirrors left dangling, knocked off by other vehicles squeezing past.
So don’t park in a spot that isn’t actually a carpark because you might lose a mirror.
If Bethell’s Beach is busy — and being one of Auckland’s more popular West Coast beaches it often is — try heading over to the stunning O’Neill Bay instead.
5. Karekare, Auckland
Karekare Beach is a black sand beach with a raw, rugged beauty, also located on Auckland’s west coast.
Located only one hour west of Auckland, Karekare Beach features black sand framed by steep, forested cliffs and rocky outcrops.
From the carpark, there’s also a short walk to Karekare Falls, a pretty waterfall with a deep pool at the bottom. It feels like walking through a rainforest to get there, but it can get busy in the summer months.
Karekare Beach gained international fame in the film "The Piano," directed by Jane Campion. The beach's untamed nature provided a melancholic and eerie setting in the film.
If you haven’t watched this movie, I highly recommend it — it will give you even more inspiration to visit New Zealand’s black sand beaches.
6. Whatipu Beach, Auckland
Whatipu Beach isn’t safe for swimming but it’s one the best beaches in Auckland for walking.
It’s a grand sweep of sand backed by rolling dunes and wetlands. On the bottom corner of the Waitākere Ranges, you can see out across the choppy Manukau Harbour mouth.
The road out to Whatipu is an experience in itself, crossing fords and rising through beautiful bush. If you want to break up the drive, Alfred’s Huia Store is an adorable place where you can settle into a sofa for a coffee and scone.
From the Whatipu Beach carpark, you can walk the Omanawanui track, one of my favourite hikes in the whole country. It goes past a few great lookouts across Whatipu and the Manukau Harbour.
The track is well-made with lots of steps. Take plenty of water and allow about two hours for it.
There’s also a track you can follow to the Whatipu Caves, if you like poking around in caves.
Whatipu Campground is a nice spot to overnight if you want to enjoy the sunset without the long and winding road back into the city.
7. Kariotahi, Waikato
Karioitahi Beach is a magnificent black sand beach located around 1.5 to hours southwest of Auckland.
Kariotahi is a wild, wind swept stretch of black sand, with dramatic cliffs rising above the beach. It stretches for miles into the distance.
Karioitahi Beach is has consistent swells and powerful waves, which make it a popular spot for experienced surfers.
The wind whipping down Kariotahi makes this beach an ideal spot for blocarting. It will also whisk away hangovers and regrets.
You can walk for what feels like endless miles down Kariotahi.
It’s also a popular spot for exercising race horses, and you might see locals galloping up and down with abandon.
If you want an overnight trip that adds some luxury to the mix, Castaways Resort is located at Kariotahi. You might know it as a popular wedding venue, or the place with a stunning outdoor bathtub.
8. Ngarunui Beach, Raglan
Ngarunui Beach is the main beach near Raglan, a small surf town on the west coast of the North Island.
Ngarunui, sometimes simply called Ocean Beach, has long stretches of fine black sand and the backdrop of lush hills and rugged cliffs.
Raglan is often referred to as the surfing capital of New Zealand thanks to its consistent, world-class surf breaks. Ngarunui Beach offers great waves, suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers.
The cliffs behind the beach are the perfect vantage point for watching sunsets over the Tasman Sea.
Raglan is one of my favourite weekend destinations from Auckland, thanks to the combination of coastal walks, surfing, and epic beach views.
Raglan has some epic rental homes and quirky accommodations close to the beach, from where you can enjoy the vast beauty of the west coast.
9. Kawhia Beach, Waikato
Kawhia Beach is a hidden gem. As well as having incredible black sand, this beach also has thermal hot springs, similar to Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel, but with no crowds.
Kawhia Beach is located approximately 85 kilometres (53 miles) southwest of Hamilton and about 140 kilometres (87 miles) southwest of Auckland.
Like many other black sand beaches in the North Island, the beach at Kawhia has a backdrop of native bush and coastal cliffs.
The natural hot springs at Kawhia are accessible by digging a hole in the sand at low tide. Once you’ve dug out your own pool you can soak in the naturally thermal water while surrounded by the stunning coastal scenery.
Despite the magic of Kawhia beach, it remains a well-kept secret — you’re likely to only share the spot with locals.
10. Waikawau Tunnel Beach, Taranaki
Waikawau Tunnel Beach is even more of a secret than Kawhia. This might be one of the most epic hidden gems in the North Island.
The beach is well off the beaten track, located about 20 minutes from the main road. It’s one of the few publicly accessible parts of the coastline between Marokopa and Awakino, an incredibly wild and unpopulated part of the North Island.
To get to the beach, you walk through a narrow tunnel which burrows through sandstone cliffs.
The tunnel was made in 1911 by three men who hacked it out of the cliff with picks and shovels, so they could herd their cows through to the beach, which was easier than going over the rugged hills.
11. Three Sisters Beach, Taranaki
Three Sisters Beach is located around an hour north of Taranaki.
You’ll find it on a remote stretch of coast dotted with tiny towns. There’s an isolated feel to this part of the North Island — you can sense that people who come here like to feel disconnected.
This beach is famous for the mighty Three Sisters, three towering rock formations rising from the sea. These sandstone formations have been sculpted by the relentless forces of wind and sea over centuries, resulting in the unique structures that resemble three pillars standing proudly in the ocean.
During low tide, you can walk along the beach and get up close to these impressive formations. On clear days, you can see the peak of Mount Taranaki in the background.
Another curious rock formation is Elephant Rock, which, as the name suggests, resembles an elephant.
There’s a freedom camping area by the carpark. This is one of my favourite places to spend a night in the Taranaki region.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you enjoy discovering the epic black sand beaches on New Zealand’s west coast.
If you like discovering beautiful nature places, you might also want to read one of these before you go:
