Hot Water Beach: if you dream of digging into sand and soaking, the is the destination for you. Located on the coast of the Coromandel peninsula, just wait for low tide and enjoy the experience!
Navigate back to the complete New Zealand Travel Guide
INFO & PLANNING TIPS - HOT WATER BEACH
The Coromandel peninsula is just a short drive from Auckland. It offers subtropical native forest, pristine beaches and interesting ocean features. I could have stayed my 2 whole weeks discovering it. But with only one day my visit focused on 2 of its highlights, one of which was Hot Water Beach, a beach where burning water comes out of the sand. People dig pools to enjoy the warm water.
TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS
Getting to Hot Water Beach
- The Coromandel is located on the Pacific Coast Highway – on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island
- It is within 1h30 from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and their international airports.
- Located from State Highway 25 take the Hot Water Beach Road. Stay on the main road until you see the (right) turn to Hot Water Beach (~8 km).
Visiting Hot Water Beach
- The best time is to visit at low tide (check the times here). Shovels are available at the camping/hotel
- There is a 15 min walk from the camping site. If it rained be careful the path is slippery.
- More info on Hot water beach on the Coromandel website
Hot Water Beach in photos
First when you arrive, the beach looks kind of normal except all the people are gathering at the same spot
As you approach, you discover a network of small pools digged in the sun
But you have to deserve it. So first You have to dig, and dig and dig! We were lucky to have some men on the tour ready to take charge!
Be careful it is really really hot!
Then you sit in it and continue digging
And at the end I laughed a lot. They were all enjoying the hot water when a big wave from the ocean arrived with cold water. They all jumped!
Sunrise near Hot Water Beach
The next morning I walk up early to enjoy sunrise over Hot water beach. The sun alignment was not good, but I still got two good shots on the path to the beach though! What do you think?
Want to see more of NEW ZEALAND?
Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online New Zealand Travel Guide.
Have you ever seen such a phenomenon?