Wharariki Beach

Beach · Puponga

Wharariki Beach

Beach · Puponga

1

Wharariki Road, Pūponga 7073, New Zealand

Photos

Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null
Wharariki Beach by null

Highlights

Wharariki Beach, nestled in New Zealand, offers stunning views of rock formations, seals, and expansive dunes, perfect for a scenic hike and sunset magic.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

Wharariki Road, Pūponga 7073, New Zealand Get directions

doc.govt.nz

Information

Static Map

Wharariki Road, Pūponga 7073, New Zealand Get directions

doc.govt.nz

Features

parking private lot

Last updated

Jul 26, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@travelleisure

The Best New Zealand Beaches

"Near Nelson, Wharariki Beach is famous for its Archway Islands and is a site for exploring sea caves and sand dunes. It's a spot for horseback riding and seal spotting." - Madeline Bilis Madeline Bilis Madeline Bilis is a writer, editor, and guidebook author based in New England. She has a soft spot for brutalist buildings and a degree in journalism from Emerson College. She was previously an

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/beach-vacations/best-beaches-new-zealand
View Postcard for Wharariki Beach

Tom

Google
It's best to arrive early at this spot. From the parking area, it’s about a 20-minute, 1.5 km walk to the beach, where you’re rewarded with an unbelievably beautiful view. You’ll often find small seals lounging on the beach, but make sure not to disturb them.

Helena Ying Cecilie Wang

Google
The legendary windows screensaver beach! Definitely worth the visit, big steak of sand and towering cliffs, the ocean feels powerful here. About 30 minutes walk from the parking to the water. Amazing sunset views!

Sabrina Liebert

Google
A must do in NZ! No doubt. The walk is not the best. You will have to climb two hills, and walk on a dune to get there, but totally worth it, especially if you go around 7:30pm for the sunset.

grace18

Google
Definitely one of the highlights of our New Zealand trip!! Surprised that few people were there. Best time to visit is one hour before sunset on a sunny day. Walk is 30-40 minutes to the spot where you can get the best view and angle (it is a very large beach).

Bernard Savage

Google
This beach is famous for its rock formations, seals and of course sand surfing its impressive dunes. To get to the beach you have a twenty minute walk from the car park. The car park can get full quite quickly on sunny summer days.

Sakthi T A

Google
It is one of the best beaches on South Island. It's a small walk from the car park. The view is spectacular and safe to carry shades on windy days.

Nidhi Poddar

Google
Absolutely loved this beach. To reach Wharariki Beach, you need to hike 2 kms from the campsite. The road to the campsite is not good. But trust me, the beach is beautiful. The sand is white and the beach is so damn clean. One of the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to.

Cindy Leong

Google
Beautiful wild majestic beach! Reminds us of Piha but bigger with nicer sand and seals! We were advised by locals to take the 1 hr walk to the beach which goes around the lake as it’s much nicer however we were short on time so just went the direct 20min route which was fine. It’s not recommended to swim there but we saw a few people in the water including a young family, i suppose you can go in at your own risk and don’t go too far out. We saw a seal inside the cave, and young kids were sliding down sand dunes on boards.
google avatar

Glen P.

Yelp
Are any of you reading this on a Windows 10 computer? I'm sure a few of you have spent some time staring at your desktop wallpaper thinking "Wooow. Love this photo, I wish I was there right now instead of working.." Well this place is one of those photos! You can refer to my photo.. However mine is missing the woman running across the sand. I just didn't look as majestic when I did it. So I'll spare you all... haha This beach is at one of the north most points of the south island, and it's pretty well hidden! It's about a 10 minute drive up a dirt road big enough for one car but let's make a two car road and make things interesting says New Zealand! When we got to the lot to park there were two wild horses just hanging around the lot. You walk about 15 minutes up a nice hike path that takes you too the beach. I told you.. Well hidden! And this hike was unique for me, mostly all of it is sand. Gives you a little taste of what to expect. As if you didn't already know you were going to a beach.... haha When we went it was almost empty!! That's a vibe! So peaceful, so serene. And it has more than what you see when you first walk up. We didn't walk too much left but everyone says it's even better. And my favorite part?? This beach has Seals! No not that Seal... He's probably never been to New Zealand. I saw one, they can be hard to see because they love to sunbathe on the rocks in the ocean. Try and find some hiding under caves. But don't wake them up, I know how I feel when I'm woken up for no good reason! One of my favorite beaches I've been too so far! I had forgotten what it felt like to walk on a beach and not burn my feet to the point of a potential 911 call. All around wonderful time. If you travel to NZ this should definitely be on your list of destinations to see!
google avatar

Leila R.

Yelp
What a great place to visit! It is a bit hidden and you got about 2km or so down a very bumpy dirt road that I am convinced is not at all wide enough for two cars to drive on at the same time, so definitely recommend taking it slow. There is a parking lot marking the start of the hike to the beach that was pretty packed when I got there. I only got a spot because someone was leaving as I arrived. There was a bit of a treat with a feral peacock walking in between the cars, which was fun to see. The hike itself is probably about 20-30mins one way depending on your pace and if you stop to really take in the views. You got through open pastures on this narrow trail that hugs the side of some very steep hills where sheep are openly grazing and it is just gorgeous. The green, tall pastoral hills dotted w/sheep under a clear blue sky just felt completely New Zealand! After you exit the hills down through some forest you come out in the dunes. The sand really took it out of my physically and when I could finally see the actual shoreline, I literally felt like I was never going to get to put my feet in the water because the tide was going out! But, the beach itself is incredibly beautiful! Between the dunes behind you hand the rock formations in the water, it is a little slice of NZ heaven! Needless to say, well worth the hike and you visit to the Farewell Spit is not complete until you have been here!