Hokitika Beach
Hokitika Beach
4.5
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Hokitika Beach and nearby attractions

The area
See what travellers are saying
  • kestonr2018
    Wellington, New Zealand261 contributions
    Lovely sunset spot
    We walked along the beach from our motel north of town, around Sunset Point, and then back to town for dinner. After dinner we followed other people down an alleyway back to he beach to watch the sunset. Absolutely stunning on a sunny evening.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 25 December 2022
  • BBB-MLJ
    London, United Kingdom355 contributions
    Beautiful
    A stunning beach on a somewhat rugged coastline. A great place for a morning or evening walk (we did both). I'm not sure about swimming but the local information centre could advise you on that.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 15 January 2023
  • Dave P
    13 contributions
    Make sure you catch a West Coast sunset!
    Interesting drift wood art, lovely walking seats to sit with a glass of wine while you watch the sunset. And right in town too! Hokitika is a cool little town with so much to do and see in the area. It's very under-rated and deserves a visit as does all of the West Coast
    Visited January 2023
    Written 26 January 2023
  • GemGem
    50 contributions
    Go check it out.
    This is a nice place to visit, grab some takeaways and eat them on the ship at the breakwater, swing on the tyre swing along the rocks and have your photo taken with iconic driftwood Hokitika sign. It is lovely on a calm or stormy day. Not a swimming beach, too unsafe with the undertoe and the couple of memorials to people who have been lost to the currents are a swift reminder to enjoy from afar.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 April 2023
  • keyoorpatel
    Blacktown, Australia20 contributions
    "A Serene Slice of Paradise - Hokitika Beach Review"
    Hokitika Beach is an enchanting gem on New Zealand's West Coast that truly captivates the soul. With its breathtaking vistas of the Tasman Sea and pristine golden sands, this secluded haven is a paradise for nature lovers and beachcombers alike. The serenity of the beach is only interrupted by the soothing sound of crashing waves and the occasional seabird soaring overhead. Whether you're strolling along the shoreline, building sandcastles with the kids, or simply basking in the warm sun, Hokitika Beach offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The sunset views are simply mesmerizing, casting a golden glow across the horizon that is sure to leave you in awe. The beach is also known for its unique driftwood sculptures, which are true works of art crafted by nature herself. The friendly locals and relaxed atmosphere make Hokitika Beach a must-visit destination for anyone seeking tranquility and natural beauty. So, if you're in search of a place to unwind, connect with nature, and make lasting memories, Hokitika Beach is a slice of paradise that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 April 2023
  • dianedinky
    Dunfermline, United Kingdom734 contributions
    Picturesque for a quick visit
    Was in town for a lunch stop (very pretty place with lots of nice craft shops) and took a look at the beach. Lovely driftwood sculptures and white sand. Also has a swinging seat you can go on and and old ship.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 9 June 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
640 reviews
Excellent
287
Very good
263
Average
78
Poor
11
Terrible
1

Kathleen S
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand305 contributions
Aug 2023
a great beach to walk, with lots of the iconic driftwood to view as well as the wild ocean, imagine sailing into here in the 1860s! The only draw back is if you have a dog as they can be off leash in only certain spots and during the middle of the day. Fair enough as there might be penguins, but better signage to be clear where you can walk would have been useful
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dianedinky
Dunfermline, UK734 contributions
Feb 2023
Was in town for a lunch stop (very pretty place with lots of nice craft shops) and took a look at the beach. Lovely driftwood sculptures and white sand. Also has a swinging seat you can go on and and old ship.
Written 9 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

keyoorpatel
Blacktown, Australia20 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Hokitika Beach is an enchanting gem on New Zealand's West Coast that truly captivates the soul. With its breathtaking vistas of the Tasman Sea and pristine golden sands, this secluded haven is a paradise for nature lovers and beachcombers alike. The serenity of the beach is only interrupted by the soothing sound of crashing waves and the occasional seabird soaring overhead. Whether you're strolling along the shoreline, building sandcastles with the kids, or simply basking in the warm sun, Hokitika Beach offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The sunset views are simply mesmerizing, casting a golden glow across the horizon that is sure to leave you in awe. The beach is also known for its unique driftwood sculptures, which are true works of art crafted by nature herself. The friendly locals and relaxed atmosphere make Hokitika Beach a must-visit destination for anyone seeking tranquility and natural beauty. So, if you're in search of a place to unwind, connect with nature, and make lasting memories, Hokitika Beach is a slice of paradise that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GemGem
50 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
This is a nice place to visit, grab some takeaways and eat them on the ship at the breakwater, swing on the tyre swing along the rocks and have your photo taken with iconic driftwood Hokitika sign. It is lovely on a calm or stormy day. Not a swimming beach, too unsafe with the undertoe and the couple of memorials to people who have been lost to the currents are a swift reminder to enjoy from afar.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Geoff M
Adelaide, Australia161 contributions
Feb 2023
Watch the sun go down from Sunset Point, with the golden beams illuminating the wonderful and crazy driftwood sculptures. Then wander back along the beach and into the main street for dinner (we recommend Stumpers!)
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TonyM
6 contributions
Jan 2023
The foreshore at Hokitika is buzzing with artists making sculptures from the driftwood around the beach. What a great idea in a beautiful idyllic, primal spot.
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dave P
13 contributions
Jan 2023
Interesting drift wood art, lovely walking seats to sit with a glass of wine while you watch the sunset. And right in town too! Hokitika is a cool little town with so much to do and see in the area. It's very under-rated and deserves a visit as does all of the West Coast
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BBB-MLJ
London, UK355 contributions
Dec 2022
A stunning beach on a somewhat rugged coastline. A great place for a morning or evening walk (we did both).
I'm not sure about swimming but the local information centre could advise you on that.
Written 15 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kestonr2018
Wellington, New Zealand261 contributions
Oct 2022
We walked along the beach from our motel north of town, around Sunset Point, and then back to town for dinner. After dinner we followed other people down an alleyway back to he beach to watch the sunset. Absolutely stunning on a sunny evening.
Written 26 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott B
Orange, Australia84 contributions
Nov 2022
When in Hokitika it's a simple task to head up one of the many walkways out onto the beach. Windswept, and at times quite rough, it's stark and spectacular. Driftwood by the ton, and matching driftwood artwork at times, it has a treacherous history but is a perfect spot to eat your fish n chips (seagulls and sandflies excepted!).
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 565
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

HOKITIKA BEACH: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Hokitika Beach