Welcome to the east coast of Northland, New Zealand/Aotearoa’s hidden paradise of seaside escapes! If you’re keen to explore the coast and discover some epic adventures, Whangārei’s Tutukaka Coast and Matapouri Bay are the perfect seaside villages to start discovering.

The expansive district of Whangārei is brimming with bucket loads of thrilling adventures to explore. Home to the northernmost city in the country, Whangārei’s stellar reputation is all thanks to the sensational seaside paradises sprinkled around the coast. Only a ten minute drive between each other, Whangārei’s Tutukaka Coast and Matapouri Bay can be easily explored in conjunction with each other in your Thrifty rental car. So, let’s make a splash!  

Beach Hop Along the Tutukaka Coast

The Tutukaka Coast is a crown of coastal jewels just waiting for you to try on. Made up of hidden coves and sun swept beaches, the water is so blue here that you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into a postcard. There are plenty of towns and beaches to discover along the Tutukaka Coast, each of them with their own seaside delights. Woolleys Bay is one of the most popular beaches on the Tutukaka Coast, made easy to get to thanks to convenient access from the main road, and it’s also equipped with plenty of grassy areas to relax on. If you’re looking for a beach to hit the waves, there’s no going past Sandy Bay. The rolling tide of Sandy Bay makes way for some awesome waves, suited to a wide range of abilities. While the south end of the beach is more suited to swimming, take care around this bay as the rips can be quite strong. For when you want to take a break from the crowds and discover a little serenity, make sure to check out Whale Bay. This gorgeous stretch of bay is a secluded gem, adorned with snow-white sand and sparkling waves. The lush green of the forest that backgrounds the beach makes this a picture-perfect paradise. Swimming is the best way to make the most of this bay. If you want to get up even closer to marine life, snorkeling in the crystal clear waters will open your eyes to an underwater fantasy land of colour and texture. 

Explore the Towns Like a Local

While the beaches and bays on the Tutukaka Coast are the stand-out attractions, there’s also plenty more to discover around this spectacular region. There are a bunch of small coastal towns that each provide their own charm and delights, from quaint cafes to relaxing walks. Ngunguru is one of the larger towns along the coast and is the perfect place to tuck into a serving of fish’n’chips on the beach from local haunt Ngunguru Takeaways. Tutukaka Marina Village also has plenty of options for eateries and stores, so make sure to check that out if you’re looking for somewhere to dine. If you’re after a way to break up the time between beaches, get the blood pumping and head out on a walk. The walk from Ngunguru to Whangaumu Bay is a favourite for many who visit the area. This stroll will take you past a selection of stunning bays with sweeping views of the endless ocean. Talk about divine! 

Discover An Underwater World

There’s a whole world waiting for you to discover below the surface of the sea on the Tutukaka Coast. The best way to explore this world is by visiting the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. You can catch a dive boat from the town of Tutukaka to the reserve. While it may cost a little more than what you’ve been spending around the coast so far, it’s truly worth the expense. Once you arrive at the islands, you can go diving and snorkeling to discover the incredible hidden world of marine life that calls Poor Knights home. With over 125 species of marine life in this area, there’s no doubt this might just be one of the best underwater experiences you’ll ever have! 

Embrace Paradise at Matapouri Bay

If the Tutukaka Coast is a crown of jewels, then Matapouri Bay is the most prized gem of them all! The horseshoe-shaped bay is filled with soft, silky sand that makes way to the shimmering aquamarine of the infinite ocean that stretches out before you. Anytime of year is a great time to swim here—even in winter it’s too beautiful not to take a dip! With waves perfect for boogie-boarding and sand perfect for relaxing on and water perfect for sinking into, it doesn’t get much better than this. 

From the beautiful bays sprinkled around the coast to the marine life waiting for you to discover under the surface of the sea, Tutukaka Coast and Matapouri Bay is filled with many hidden delights. Make the most of this area in your Thrifty rental car by exploring the region and all it has to offer.