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Hot Water Beach, The Coromandel

Within two hours either side of low tide visitors flock to the usually deserted Hot Water Beach to find hot water bubbling through the golden sand. Families, kids and couples can be seen digging their own spa pool in the sand and relaxing in the natural springs. Often rated as one of the world's most renowned beaches - this is one experience that should be on your bucket list. A truly unique Kiwi experience that every New Zealander should experience at least once in their lifetime!

The beach also boasts some great surf, cruisy cafés and art galleries and is only a 5 minute drive to another Coromandel ‘must do’ – Cathedral Cove.

Hot Water Beach is a 'Must Do' activity when visiting The Coromandel

A truly unique Kiwi experience that every New Zealander should experience at least once in their lifetime!



An underground river of hot water flows from the interior of the earth to surface in the Pacific Ocean at Hot Water Beach – a long beautiful white beach located between Tairua and Whitianga. The stunning beach overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offshore Castle Island, with Pohutukawa lined cliffs at either end of the beach.



Two hours either side of low tide visitors flock to the usually deserted Hot Water Beach to find hot water bubbling through the golden sand. Families, kids and couples can been seen digging their own spa pool in the sand to lie back in and relax while the steam from their hot pool envelops them.



With the ebb and flow of the tide each individually created hot pool is washed away clearing the way for the next influx of visitors.



The beach also boasts some great surf, cruisy cafés and galleries and only a 5 minute drive to another Coromandel ‘must do’ – the walk into Cathedral Cove

The Best Time to Visit Hot Water Beach

The hot springs are only accessible at low tide (see above in the local tide tab) however, more often than not, two hours each side of low tide will still provide you with an opportunity to dig your own spa.

Hot Water Beach Spade Hire

Spades are available for hire at Hotties Cafe, Hot Waves Cafe, and the Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park. Get ready to share your pool with travellers from all around the world, this is a popular and unique lifetime experience.

Ngati Hei (Local iwi/tribe of Hot Water Beach, Mercury Bay)

Ngati Hei are the tangata whenua (people of the land) along the Mercury Bay coastline. Hot Water Beach is historically and culturally significant to Ngati Hei. Archaeologists believe the Whitianga locale has been populated by the Ngati Hei iwi (tribe) for a thousand years, thus making it one of New Zealand’s longest inhabited areas. To this day Ngati Hei endeavour to protect this taonga (treasure), that is near an Urupa (burial ground) and Pa site (fortified settlement), and hope that you too will respect this special location.

Ngati Hei, Hot Water Beach locals and residents of The Coromandel kindly request that you;

- Remember to use the toilets at the car parks. There are no toilets on the beach or within close proximity.

- Please do not eat or drink in the hot pools

- Pick up any rubbish in the Hot Water Beach area

Hot Water Beach Safety Warning

It is advised that swimmers only swim between the flags if the Hot Water Beach Surf Life Saving Crew Service are on patrol. The rocks in front of the hot springs are a hazardous location for strong currents, holes and rips making swimming in this location dangerous. Remember – always swim between the flags and if in doubt don’t go out.

Surfing Hot Water Beach

While the natural occurences at Hot Water Beach can make it a dangerous swimming beach (without lifeguards) it’s these formations that contribute to it’s reputation for a great surfing beach – for experienced surfers. Hot Water Beach handles a good size swell with banks along the beach making for good 'A frame' waves and the point holding a nice right hand wave when the conditions are right. The northern end of the beach is more popular with locals, however it’s advised to surf here with others as the steep banks and hidden rocks make for a heavy break. Check out more surf spots in The Coromandel here.

Hot Water Beach Car Parking

Parking is available in three locations: The Main Beach carpark, Te Waiwai carpark and the Main Store carpark. Note, fees may apply at the Main Store carpark.

Spades are available for hire at Hotties Cafe, Hot Waves Cafe and the Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park.