Motukiekie Beach (New Zealand) – Access + Tips + Photos

Motukiekie beach, New Zealand, is one of the lesser known beaches, and yet it is one of my favorites. 
Accessible only at low tide, it is a wonderland for both photographers and geology-lovers.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to this off the beaten path wonder.

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Motukiekie beach location - Map

• Located in South Island, West Coast, off the beaten track
• South of the famous Punakaiki (Pancake rocks)
• The only way to see it is with a rental car
• Punakaiki to Motukiekie beach = 20min drive
• Greymouth to Motukiekie beach = 20min
• I recommend parking at the GPS coordinates 42°18'53.2"S 171°16’46.9"E along the road
• Below is a map to give you an idea of where it is located

Visit tips

• Plan 2 hours
• From the side of the road where you parked to the seastacks, you have to walk around 30min (I am a slow walker)
• Go before low tide to be able to come back to your car without your feet getting wet
• You have to walk on wet sand but it is flat and easy, not rocks to climb
• No facilities at all

Motukiekie beach and many other fantastics places to photograph are included in my eBooks, to help you plan an unforgettable road trip:

Where to stay nearby

I think it is a good idea to spend a night nearby to have some flexibility around the tides.

• If you want to stay in a city, spend the night in Greymouth - Check out the best rated accommodations
• If you prefer to stay close to nature, I recommend staying at Punakaiki - Check out the accommodation options
• I stayed in punakaiki at the Te Nikau Retreat. My apartment had a great view over the forest towards the sea (it was the only one with see view). Loved it! - Check out photos and availability

There are a lot of discussion about how to access it.
There is a short but very dangerous path down the cliffs that is not recommended (with ropes).

But there is also a very easy path (a little longer). The beach is not difficult to access at all!
Just park along the road around 42°18'53.2"S 171°16’46.9"E.

As you walk on the beach, you will reach some rocky areas with a large variety of shapes, colors and texture.
I took way too many pictures even though the weather was not on my side.
So bring plenty of memory cards.

Geology

I have tried to find some geology info on the area but can't find any sorry.
All that I found is that where mountains meet the sea, you can find flat beach platforms at their base. They formed when sea level was higher and appeared as they sea level dropped or when raised by movements of the earth's crust.

Photography

Below are a few shots I took along the way. But they don't do justice to the place.

The main attractions of Motukiekie beach are the seastacks. There are many of them and I love the different shapes they have depending on the angles.

The other stars of Motukiekie are the starfish.
There is a large colony living there.
Get close to the giant seastacks and you will find may of them resting during the low tide.

Just make sure you keep an eye on the water, as you can be surprised by tidal waves and get your feet wet.

As you walk back you will see the rocks with new angles and you have a great views of the mountains dropping into the sea: The Paparoa range.

Due to the mild climate, the coast is covered with broadleaf forest with nikau palms. So it has the tropical feel of Hawaii.

You can also see the seastacks from above.
Just South of where you have parked to start walking, once you have driven up, you will find a small parking area with picnic tables. Stop there and climb to the edge of the cliffs to see them.

In the picture below you can see how the whole beach is covered by water at high tide.

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