Kawhia Hot Water Beach

The same idea as Hot Water Beach in Coromandel, but on a black sand beach on the west coast. Hot water bubbles up near the shoreline around low tide, and you dig a hole to catch it. It sees far fewer visitors, so you often get a pool to yourself, and Kawhia itself is a sleepy harbour town worth wandering for fish and chips.

Good to know

• Go within about two hours either side of low tide
• Take your own spade
• Try the water with your hand first, it can be scalding
• Check tide times before the drive, the beach is no use at high tide

Best time

Low tide, ideally late afternoon

Open

All year

Getting there

Short drive from Kawhia township then a walk over the dunes to the beach

Vehicles

Fine in any car

Facilities

• Toilets

Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.