Last updated October 2026
Whangamatā Beach is a long, sandy ocean beach on the Coromandel’s east coast, known for summer holidays, swimming and surfing. Tourism New Zealand lists it for swimming and surfing, and Hauraki Coromandel Tourism calls it home to one of New Zealand’s most famous surf breaks, the Whangamatā Bar.
Whangamatā Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach through summer, and the water holds an Excellent long-term grade on LAWA. It makes a summer day trip or weekend away from Tauranga.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Mar by Waikato Regional Council. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Whangamatā Beach
Friday 23 OctoberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine enterococci results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (40 per 100 mL from 111 tests).
Surf Facts
Surf today at Whangamatā Beach
Surf breaks at Whangamatā Beach
2 breaks: a beach break and a river barShowHide
Practical Information
- Location
- Whangamatā, Coromandel Peninsula (Thames-Coromandel District)
- Water
- East coast ocean beach, with estuaries at both ends; tidal (nearest tide station: Whangamatā)
- Water quality
- Excellent (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Weekly from November to March by Waikato Regional Council
- Lifeguards
- Whangamatā Surf Life Saving Club, volunteer and paid patrols through summer
- Access
- Numbered beach access points along the Esplanade; mobility access best at points 8 and 9 by the surf club
- Dogs
- Restricted on parts of the beach in summer under the council’s dog bylaw
- Cost
- Free
About Whangamatā Beach
Whangamatā is one of the Coromandel’s busiest summer towns, and the beach runs the length of it, with an estuary at each end and Whenuakura, also called Donut Island, sitting offshore. Use the numbered beach access points to cross the dunes; they protect the dunes and the endangered New Zealand dotterels that nest in fenced areas.
The surf club, on the corner of Lowe Street and Esplanade Drive, has been part of the town since 1949. Hauraki Coromandel Tourism notes that mobility access is best at access points 8 and 9 by the surf club, where there is parking and a boardwalk.
Swimming and Water Quality at Whangamatā Beach
Waikato Regional Council tests the water opposite the surf club every week from November to March and shares the results on LAWA. The beach has an Excellent LAWA long-term grade, based on 111 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Of 130 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 98% were suitable for swimming. An Excellent grade means the water is rarely unsuitable for swimming, but it is a long-term record, not a promise for any particular day.
Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. This is an open surf beach and rips form here: Surf Life Saving New Zealand reports Whangamatā lifeguards rescuing people caught in rips, mostly when they swam outside the flags.
Whangamatā Surf Life Saving Club runs volunteer and paid lifeguard services through summer. Swim between the flags, and check the club’s website or Safeswim for the current patrol times.
Surfing at Whangamatā
The Whangamatā Bar is listed as a nationally significant surf break in the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, and Waikato Regional Council’s surf break records describe it as a hollow, high-performance wave. Hauraki Coromandel Tourism is clear about who it suits: the beach break is good for surfers of all levels, and the bar is reserved for experts.
Surf shops along the main road hire out boards, according to Tourism New Zealand. If you are learning, stay on the beach break, away from the bar and the estuary mouths, and surf within sight of the patrol when lifeguards are on duty.
Getting There and Facilities
Whangamatā sits on the Coromandel’s east coast, north of Waihī, reached from Tauranga by heading north through Waihī on State Highway 2 and then State Highway 25. There is parking along the Esplanade and by the surf club, and a public toilet at the wharf.
Thames-Coromandel District Council restricts dogs on parts of Whangamatā Beach over the summer, including near the wharf and the Ōtahu Estuary. Check the council’s Whangamatā dog rules before you bring a dog.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Waikato Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and long-term grade for the testing spot opposite the surf club.
Whangamatā Surf Life Saving Club: this season’s patrol days and times.
Hauraki Coromandel Tourism: Whangamatā Beach: the official visitor guide to the beach, surf, access and dotterels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Whangamatā Beach?
Yes. It is a popular swimming beach with summer lifeguard patrols. Swim between the flags, check LAWA first, and stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like?
Whangamatā Beach has an Excellent LAWA long-term grade. Of 130 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 98% were suitable for swimming.
Is the beach patrolled?
Yes. Whangamatā Surf Life Saving Club patrols through summer. Check the club’s website for the season’s times.
Is the Whangamatā Bar for beginners?
No. Hauraki Coromandel Tourism says the beach break suits surfers of all levels but the bar is reserved for experts.
Are there rips?
Yes. Lifeguards regularly rescue people caught in rips, mostly outside the flags.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are restricted on parts of the beach over summer. Check Thames-Coromandel District Council’s Whangamatā dog rules first.
Is there accessible beach access?
Hauraki Coromandel Tourism says mobility access is best at access points 8 and 9 by the surf club, where there is parking and a boardwalk.
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