About | Whale Bay
Whale Bay is a small but beautiful beach, and incredibly popular. Try to go during off-peak if you can.
To get there you’ll need to walk. There are two ways to get there.
One track begins at Matapouri Beach. Head north on the beach and you’ll find the start of the track, it’s 40 minutes one way.
The other one is a lot shorter and starts at the carpark at the top of the hill on Matapouri Road – you’ll either see the sign or a whole lot of cars parked up there. It’s only a short 10-minute walk. The path is wide and well maintained. There are other little tracks and viewpoints along the way.
When you get there, walk through the Pohutakawa trees and you’ll come out on a beautiful beach. The whole beach is surrounded by lovely Pohutakawa trees and provides lots of shady spots. There are rocks to explore at both ends of the beach. The water is clear and great for snorkelling. There are a few picnic tables along the way with awesome views.
There is a public toilet down at the beach on the northern end.
Bring your togs, towels, sunscreen, and some small beach toys.
Nearby
Location
Access from a carpark on Matapouri Road (at the top of the hill). Or from Matapouri Beach for a longer walk.
Photos
Coming straight after we’d just been to Matapouri Beach we rested under the shade of the Pohutakawa trees while the boys happily played in the sand. The small beach was packed as we’d come during a long weekend.
Walking back to the car, I went down some of the smaller tracks, one leading to the viewpoint below and the other leading down to the rocks below.
We loved the Tutukaka area and could have easily spent a good few summer days right here by the beach. Whale Bay is beautiful and is what good kiwi summers are made of.
