Fortunately for us you can’t beat the Coromandel for some of the best beaches in New Zealand. We often get asked “What are the best beaches within 30 minutes of Coromandel town and Shelly Beach?”.
Here are our TOP suggestions to check out during your stay with us.
Shelly Beach & Kikowhakarere Bay
- 0 kms from Shelly Beach TOP 10
- 5.1 kms from Coromandel Township
We are slightly bias but we absolutely love our beach at the end of our park grounds – surrounded by native bush and lots of native bird song. Its proper name is actually Kikowhakarere Bay but sometimes called Shelly Beach due to its ‘shell-y-ness’. ‘Kik’ bay (as called by the locals) changes continuously during the day due to its tidalness, which makes an ever changing landscape.
High tide, is the best time to swim directly from the beachfront – the bay is usually a warm temperature due to the shallow tides. This is a super safe options for families with usually hardly any waves or tidal currents. Great for paddleboard or kayak exploring. When the tide goes out, at low tide you can still swim but its a bit of walk out. The sand flats are also great to go exploring the bay for Cockles or Pipis or do the coastal walk to Tucks Bay. We also rate the spectacular sunsets from Shelly Beach as some of the best!
Oamaru Bay
Oamaru Bay2 kms / 2 min from Shelly Beach TOP 10
6.9 kms from Coromandel Township
We love Oamaru Bay. With easy access you can park your car right by the beach and reserve. It’s great to take a picnic and set up under the beautiful pohutakawa trees then spend the day swimming directly from the beach. You’ll love swimming out to floating pontoon which is the ultimate ‘manu’ spot. Best to go at high tide, as low tides can be quite low. You can witness beautiful sunsets here also – it’s even a great fish’n’chip in the car spot. Oamaru also has a free boatramp to launch boats or jetskis from.
Long Bay
Long Bay8.3 kms / 12 min from Shelly Beach TOP 10
3 kms from Coromandel Township
Walkable from Shelly Beach at Low-tide – Long Bay is the closest beach to Coromandel township and a popular options for the locals. Home to a council leased motor camp – its always humming with people, campervans and motorhomes. Great spot to grab an ice cream or hire a kayak from the camp. You can do the Tucks Bay Kauri Tree loop directly from here.
Wyuna Bay
Wyuna Bay10.4 kms / 16 min from Shelly Beach TOP 10
5.2 kms from Coromandel Township
An enjoyable windy drive through native bush and a peninsula of holiday homes, it a great option to swim in the Coromandel Harbour. Hint is to stop on the drive up Wyuna Bay Road and grab some 360 degree views over Coromandel Harbour, Coromandel Town and out over the islands of the Hauraki gulf. Very safe swimming and a cool jetty you can jump from. Bring the kayak or paddleboard as this is another safe spot to explore.
Amodeo Bay
12 kms / 15 min from Shelly Beach TOP 10
6.9 kms from Coromandel Township
Take the breath-taking drive north from Papa Aroha to Amodeo Bay, as you drive up the Colville coast, climbing higher and higher outlooking the Motukawao Group of Islands before dropping down into the beautiful Amodeo Bay. This isn’t your usual beach but great perfectly formed smooth rocks that make up the beach (think beaches from the South of France!). You can swim straight off the beach, or at low tide you can walk around to Waitete Bay. Keep an eye out and hunt for Petrified Wood hidden in amongst the rocks. You can grab a coffee or ice cream from the famous Anglers Lodge while you are here.
Waitete Bay
Waitete Bay13.6 kms / 18 min from Shelly Beach TOP 10
26 kms from Coromandel Township
This is a hidden beautiful white sandy beach, tucked away off the main road to Colville, if you blink you may miss the turn-off here so once you see the signs for Amodeo Bay, slow down and keep an eye out for the left hand turn off to the bay. Drive down a narrow road 200 metres, and you will reach this beautiful destination. Park the car and spend the day on this beautiful white sandy gem. Our kids love to explore the rockpools and do a spot of crab hunting.
Whangapoua Beach
Whangapoua Beach23.1 kms / 30 min from Shelly Beach TOP 10
18.1 kms from Coromandel Township
The East Coast of the peninsula has magnificent white sandy beaches, you can see why people flock to this part of the world in summer. Whangapoua is 1.5 km of beautiful white sandy beach with great swimming and is easily accessible from the road. Bring the umbrella and spend the day swimming and soaking up the sunshine. The General Store has a small selection of food, drinks and ice creams to keep you fueled. The beach looks out towards the Mercury Islands.
New Chum Beach
New Chum Beach23.1 kms / 30 min from Shelly Beach TOP 10 plus 30 minute!
18.1 kms from Coromandel Township
A hidden gem just under 30-minutes walk from Whangapoua this is a must if you have made it this far. As its only accessible by foot or boat, you can see untouched white sandy beach with no housing or roads. As you walk you will experience some great native trees and bush including Pohutakawa trees and plenty of Nikau palms. This beach has recently been bought by the New Zealand Public to be enjoyed for future generations. Voted in the TOP 10 Beaches of the WORLD – this is a key highlight to a Coromandel expedition.
Matarangi Beach
Matarangi Beach28.6 kms / 30 min from Shelly Beach TOP 10
23.7 kms from Coromandel Township
This a popular holiday spot for many Kiwis and their ‘baches’. Set on a peninsula of harbour one side and then 4.5km of sandy white beautiful beach this is a real jewel of the Coromandel. The beach boasts great waves for swimming, body boarding or surfing. Surfers usually head closer to the harbour mouth for the bigger surf. The small village of Matarangi is also home to a world class 18-hole golf course (The Dunes) and some great cafe and restaurant options.