Top 11 family friendly beaches in Zealand

• Long Bay Regional Park is an oasis of native reserves, coastal edges framed with mature pohutukawa trees and wetlands with a thriving wildlife.
• Together with the adjacent Okura Marine Reserve, nature buffs have a variety of ecological habitats to explore on easy walking tracks. While the park’s open space and the beach are its major attractions, Long Bay is a beautiful setting with interesting natural features.
• The historic farm homestead has been restored and open to the public. Check opening hours before visiting to avoid disappointment. The Torbay Historical Society has restored the homestead. For military fans there is a World War II gun emplacement north of the beach. This was part of a defence network to protect the Waitemata harbour from the Japanese. It is interesting looking at the views today and recreating the concerns that led to the gun emplacement.

• Look for bush areas where birds shelter from predators and nest
• Look for the difference between fresh and saltwater wetlands
• Gorse is a great protector for immature native trees
• Natural debris from trees, windblown leaves eventually composts returning goodness to the soil
• The best time to view wading birds is between full-tide and half-tide from November to March.
• Over 25 hectares of plants and birds

The long sand bank extends into the Tamaki Estuary giving you a birds eye view of nature. At the dam, you will find stilts, herons, kingfishers and ducks. The best time to view wading birds is between full-tide and half-tide from November to March. You can walk along Sandspit beach.

Featured as one of the Bay of Plenty’s top 5 beaches Pilot Bay is an ideal family destination for people with small children.

• Lifeguards on duty during peak summer months
• Cosmopolitan Mt Maunganui shopping, cafes and ice cream vendors a hop, skip and jump
• Older family members can safely enjoy The Mount where lifeguards monitor newie surfing fans

Relish the contrast between a family beach, vast container ships gliding into the busy port and the views of Mount Maunganui’s summit, Mauao. The grassed foreshore has public BBQ’s, picnic tables and generous parking spaces. The contrast between the massive container ships gliding into the busy port and the kayaker enjoying the sunset is magic. Join the dots at the Mount with a walk around the base of Mount Maunganui for a touch of Main Beach glamour. For more holiday ideas check out Tauranga things to do for free – Best Bits.

OHOPE BEACH TOP 10 HOLIDAY PARK

The high standard of top ten is reflected in the campground. beachfront apartments, motel units, cabins, glamping, glaravanning, powered and unpowered campsites. The question is when is a holiday park a resort and Ohope Beach is definitely in the running for a kiwi version of a beachside resort. There is a children’s programme, extensive playgrounds, board and kayak hire, a surf school and a junior programme.

LOCATION: 367 Harbour Rd, Ohope Beach

Hahei is home to New Zealand’s snorkel trail. A marine exploration carefully signposted with bright colourful buoys.

• New Zealand’s only Snorkel Trail to get visitors into the marine world.

The Snorkel trail provides a point of difference to get people into the water so they are able to experience the amazing marine life in the Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve. The buoys have handles on them which snorkelers are able to hold on to which can help novice snorkelers, tourists and children feel more comfortable in the water. The information panels on the buoys give information about the marine environment.

Hahei facilities include toilets, lifeguards, shops and car parking.

Oriental Bay is a pocket sized beach and a summer hot spot with ice cream vendors. Nearby is Te Papa National Museum of Aotearoa New Zealand and Wellington waterfront cafes and happening events.

Parking:  Angle parking on Oriental Parade and car park beside Freyberg Pool and Fitness Centre

Toilets and changing facilities:  At Freyberg Pool and Fitness Centre there are changing rooms, toilets, and cold showers

Accessibility:  Wheelchair access to Freyberg Beach

There are lifeguards at this beach during summer weekends.

• Nelson is coast to coast fringed with long stretches of gold perfection and shallow safe water for children to paddle
• Campgrounds galore adjacent to ideal family holiday spots

Close to Nelson city and the airport this beach is a family favourite.  Over 1.7 km of white sands and gentle waves create a summer staple for a day at the beach for locals and visitors. The beach is safe for swimming and popular with walkers, joggers and sun-seekers, with the back beach for kite-boarders and dog walking. Low tide exposes rock pools with crabs, sea-snails a prime site for kids to explore marine life. Look out for a wharf where fishing buffs cast their lines in hopes of snapper, kahawai and blue code. Year round Tasman Bay offers sightings of dolphins and orca feeding in the ebb and flow of the tide. The beach has its own business hub Tahunanui, Nelson New Zealand – Tahunanui, Nelson New Zealand lobbying for the beach, reserve and community. For more information about what to do in Nelson city check out local cafes and what to do in nearby Stoke.

• Abel Tasman National Park is massive drawcard being on the beaches doorstep
• Mountain biking, river estuaries and kayaking are some of the attractions located on the beach
• Inland Nelson food and wine trail for escaping parents
• Cycle and explore Nelson’s Great Taste Trail section from Motuka to Kaiteriteri
• Waka Tours Abel Tasman operates from Kaiteriteri. Their beautifully painted waka (traditional double hulled canoes) are a great way to test your seafaring skills. All age groups will enjoy time on the water learning how to paddle in unison and gain insights into local Maori culture and history

Read more about what to do in Nelson with kids Things to do in Nelson City Attractions, Activities & Places to Visit.

If you want to explore Cave Rock (at low tide) , wander across Sumner beach to the seaward side of Cave Rock. It is an easy scramble through this short tidal cave and you emerge on the other beach near the foot of a walking ramp onto the promenade. Cave Rock itself is an easy climb and a plaque on the tower remembers Captain of the Sumner Lifeboat, Joseph Day, who saved many lives between 1867 and 1880.

It is easy walking around to Scarborough Park, which sits under the cliffs. There are toilets here, as well as a children’s playground and paddling pool and plenty of shading trees. No dogs are allowed in the park.

For variation on the return walk try Nayland Street or the less busy Wiggins Street. There are still many interesting and homely houses that reveal Sumner’s origins as a quiet seaside escape. Past the Sumner shops, if you cross Wakefield Avenue, it is well worthwhile to walk down the last part of Nayland Street with its idiosyncratic houses, stone walls and cliffs. Cross Main Street at the pedestrian island back to the car park.

Source: Find out about swimming at Sumner and Scarborough.

The pool’s location creates a sense of ocean swimming with waves breaking mere metres from the pool’s open sides. Waves crash on the rocky shore below the St Clair Hot Water Pool adding a soundtrack to the leisurely laps in a controlled water environment.

Hot Salt Water Pool Features:

• 28 degree Celsius
• 1.1m – 1.4m deep
• 6 x 25m lanes
• Toddlers Pool
• Disabled changing area
• Cafe, open 9am – 5pm daily

For more information about Dunedin beaches and what to do visiting Dunedin & Otago Peninsula check out Dunedin Travel Guide.