Spanning 15,000 kilometres of coastline, our island nation in the South Pacific is practically one grand, picturesque beach! Pick up a Pegasus rental car in any of New Zealand’s major urban centres, and you’re a mere 15 minutes from one of our stunning beaches.
Here, the concept of ‘the beach’ is redefined—not as crowded spots with rows of deck chairs and towering skyscrapers edging the sands. Far from it! In New Zealand, our beautiful beaches are secluded havens where you can stroll along wild, serene shorelines lined with black sand or dive into warm, crystalline turquoise waters, perhaps catching a glimpse of seals, penguins, and dolphins. So, grab your sunscreen, sun hat, and swimwear, hop into your Pegasus rental, and head to the beach to embrace the unparalleled beauty of New Zealand!
Here are our top beach picks:
Rarawa
Northland is New Zealand’s sub-tropical paradise, making it a great place to go beach-crazy. With its soft white sand, warm, clear water, and spectacular location near the tip of the North Island, Rarawa is one of New Zealand’s most stunning beaches. Great for surfing, beach walking, and soaking up New Zealand’s natural magnificence!
Cheltenham Beach
For a more relaxed beach experience, drive just 18 minutes from Auckland’s CBD or about 40 minutes from our South Auckland Branch. Beautiful pohutukawa (known as the New Zealand Christmas tree) line the shore. Views of Rangitoto, Auckland’s iconic offshore volcano, add to the scenery. As one of the safest swimming beaches in New Zealand, Cheltenham Beach is a top choice for those needing a break from Auckland’s hustle and bustle.
Pohutukawa (New Zealand’s Christmas tree)
Opoutere
The Coromandel Peninsula is beach heaven, and for many, Opoutere is the region’s best. Drive just ten minutes from the seaside village of Whangamata, park your Pegasus car rental and take a ten-minute walk through a beautiful pine forest. You’ll burst out onto Opoutere Beach, where you’ll find gently breaking azure-blue waves, rare seabirds and endless white sand. For most of the year, you might have this slice of paradise all to yourself!
Anaura Bay
Want a beach-centric road trip recommendation? The East Coast of the North Island offers an authentic New Zealand experience. Consider driving from Gisborne to Whakatane, following the stunning coastline. Enjoy spectacular views, lush native bush, and charming historic towns, offering plenty of opportunities for fishing, surfing, and beachside camping. Anaura Bay is a stand-out beach, with its warm waters, great camping site, and beautiful surrounding forest, making it feel like a pristine paradise ready for discovery.
Castlepoint
Just an hour’s drive from Masterton lies Castlepoint, on the eastern coast of the lower North Island. Ranking in the top ten of New Zealand’s best beaches, this destination is ideal for those who love swimming, surfing, exploring walking trails and experiencing dramatic coastlines. Castlepoint features a reef, lagoon, lighthouse, and the iconic Castle Rock, enhancing its appeal as a highlight of the Wairarapa coastline. The lighthouse, first lit in 1913, remains one of the last two beam lighthouses in New Zealand, adding a historic touch to this spectacular location.
The spectacular Castlepoint beach
Lyall Bay
Okay, Lyall Bay may not be the most beautiful beach in New Zealand, but it has to be one of the craziest! Less than fifteen minutes drive from Wellington’s CBD, Lyall Bay has something for everyone. Surfing, check. Swimming, check. Pick up a car from Wellington Airport and watch the planes fly in, check. Having a coffee at the same place – the legendary Maranui Café – as Harry and Meghan did, check. Not to mention the ferries coming and going, the kite-surfers blazing back and forth, the surf casters, the spear fishermen… Yep, Lyall Bay is as whacky and wonderful as Wellington itself.
Totaranui
Enveloped by native forest and boasting golden sands along with warm, clear waters, Totaranui is a true gem. Located within the Abel Tasman National Park, it’s as famous for its incredible sandy beaches as it is for its superb walking tracks. You can snorkel around the rock pools, try your hand at fishing, or simply enjoy floating in the balmy waters. Although it’s a two-hour drive from Nelson at the northern tip of the South Island, visiting Totaranui is highly recommended. The journey in your Pegasus rental is worth the effort to experience this splendid slice of paradise.
Okains Bay
While Christchurch is near popular beaches like Sumner, New Brighton, and Taylors Mistake, a slightly longer drive in your Pegasus rental will take you to the Banks Peninsula. This area is renowned for its picturesque bays and hidden coves. Just ten kilometres from Akaroa, the main settlement on Banks Peninsula, lies Okains Bay. Here, you’ll discover an excellent surf beach, one of New Zealand’s oldest stores (known for serving some of the best ice creams), pristine waters, hot sand, and stunning scenery typical of the South Island.
Photo Credit: https://okainsbaycamp.co.nz/photos/
Moeraki Boulders
Venture to Koekohe Beach to view the Moeraki Boulders, geological marvels unveiled by the erosion of sedimentary rock. These large spherical stones, situated near Moeraki on New Zealand’s Otago coast, stand as one of the most captivating natural attractions on the South Island. Access is easy via a direct drive from State Highway 1 to the Boulder area, or you can park in the quaint fishing town of Moeraki and enjoy a scenic walk along the beach. For the best experience, time your visit at low tide so you have plenty of time to explore!
The Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach
Curio Bay
Two hours drive from Dunedin Airport and you are in the Catlins – one of the wildest, most isolated, and beautiful regions of New Zealand. And Curio Bay is surely the glittering jewel in the Catlins crown. See Hectors dolphins surfing the waves, watch the rare yellow-eyed penguins waddle ashore at dusk, marvel at fossilised tree stumps that are 160 million years old. Crystal clean water, ancient forest, thrilling wildlife. Curio Bay is unmissable!
Okarito
Situated on the West Coast, Okarito is not your typical spot for swimming or sunbathing—it’s untamed and wildly beautiful. With its vast seas, expansive skies, and incredible wildlife, including birds, dolphins, and whales, it truly feels like a rugged escape from the everyday. This isolated beach may give you the sensation of being at the edge of the world but in the most exhilarating way. So grab your insect repellent, hop into your Pegasus rental, and head to the West Coast of the South Island, where adventure awaits in every gust of the sea breeze!
Photo Credit: http://okaritocampground.co.nz/local-activities/
More beautiful New Zealand beaches
Ask any Kiwi what their favourite beach is, and you’ll get a different answer every time!
Here are some more popular beaches:
- Hot Water Beach, Coromandel Peninsula: Dig your own hot pool in the sand at low tide!
- Maunganui Beach, Bay of Plenty: Mt Maunganui has both an ocean beach and a harbour beach (Pilot Bay). The main beach is celebrated for its excellent surf, beachside cafes, and expansive stretches of white sand.
- Cathedral Cove, Hahei Beach: A sandy beach featuring stunning rock formations and azure waters.
- Ninety Mile Beach: A seemingly endless stretch of golden sand in Northland.
- Ahipara (southern end of Ninety Mile Beach): A favourite for surf casting, land yachting, and the ‘tuatua twist’ (wriggling your feet in the sand at low tide to unearth the delicious shellfish).
- Piha Beach, West Coast: Famous black sand surf beach near Auckland.
- Whale Bay, Raglan: A chilled-out surf town with gorgeous beaches.
- Maitai Bay, Karikari Peninsula: White sand beach with crystal-clear waters.
- Wharariki Beach: Remote beach with impressive sand dunes near Golden Bay.
- Waimarama Beach: Popular surf beach in Hawke’s Bay.
- Anchor Bay, Tāwharanui Regional Park: Gorgeous beach with great snorkelling.
- Onetangi Beach, Waiheke Island: Long, golden sand beach perfect for a day trip from Auckland.
Whether you’re looking to stroll along golden beaches, explore hidden sea caves or check out epic surf beaches, a Pegasus rental car is your ticket to exploring New Zealand’s stunning coastal wonders. At Pegasus, we’re here to help you discover the most beautiful beaches on your adventure. So what are you waiting for? Let’s hit the road and find your slice of Kiwi paradise!