Beaches

Long Bay ( a Marine Reserve)

New Zealand is long and narrow (over 1,600 kilometres or 990 miles) along its north-north-east axis with a maximum width of 400 km (250 mi)), with about 15,000 km (9,300 mi) of coastline, making it the 10th longest coastline in the world.  Incidentally, Canada is Number 1 with 265,000 km.  The eastern coast of the North Island tends to have the better swimming beaches, but both islands have gorgeous beaches.

90 Mile Beach

The west coasts of both islands are rugged and contain many cliffs that are more wind swept and has more black sand, which is noticeably hotter to walk on. The longest beach in New Zealand is the 90 Mile Beach, which is really about 60 miles long. This beach is famous for its huge sand dunes that are vast enough to resemble the Sahara Desert. This beach occupies the north western coastline of the North Island.  

Tauranga  Beach

The most famous surf  break is situated west of Hamilton  in a small town called Raglan. Raglan is known for its unusually long surf rides and is a part of surfing's world circuit. 

The number 1 beach as rated by Trip Advisor is Tauranga Beach on the Bay of Plenty.  I think the high rating is because it is a major tourist destination, and these are mostly tourists who make the rankings, but in reality see very little of New Zealand.  The city maintains the beach, keeping it free of debris. The sand has an almost pinkish hue and for collectors of sea shells it is a collector's paradise.  It is a wide beach with Mount Mauganui dominating one end.  I took this picture from the top of Mount Muanganui on Easter weekend.  It certainly has appeal for the plentiful amenities, hotels and resorts available, yet when other important considerations are factored in this beach is worth visiting, but certainly does not deserve the number 1 ranking.

Deep Sea Harbor of Tauranga

Wherever we have gone during the warmer months, we have observed Kiwi's taking in what New Zealand has in abundance.  They love their beaches and take full advantage of the surf, sand and sun to to enjoy their precious vacation time.  It is not hard to extrapolate the reason for Kiwi's happy, friendly, easy going dispositions when one sees where and how they spend their leisure time.

Sailing, surfing, swimming or just lounging, the beaches represent a favorite pastime and deservedly so with  a beach within a few kilometres of almost every village, town or city on the island.