Golden Bay Beaches

GOLDEN BAY must have the best line-up of beaches anywhere in New Zealand.

From one end of the Bay to the other, nearly any turn off the main road towards the coast will bring you to a beautiful, safe, sandy beach.

Through the central Bay, from Puponga in the west to Pohara in the east, there is a string of shallow, fine sand beaches, safe for the family with kids. The summer tide returning over wide sand-flats often makes the water warm, an even better incentive for some.

To the east, past Tarakohe harbour, you will discover truly golden beaches. From Ligar Bay to Tata Beach, Wainui and on around the Abel Tasman National Park the much coarser sand is derived from erosion of the granite rock of the hinterland. Barefoot paradise!! Tata Beach is popular with those wanting deeper water for a real swim but still in safe waters.

The region also has its share of true ‘West Coast’ ocean beaches. Wharariki must be one of the world’s gems. Sand dunes, islands, caves, sometimes wild and thunderous waves too dangerous for family swimming but just right for the brave surfers and windsurfers (and seals of course - but please leave them alone!).

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