Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach: Address, Phone Number, Hot Water Beach Reviews: 4/5
Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach
4
About
This world famous beach at the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula contains two volcanic hot water springs that keep the water heated.
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4.0
1,595 reviews
Excellent
780
Very good
509
Average
216
Poor
60
Terrible
30
Kim S
Tauranga, New Zealand505 contributions
Winter dig on the holes not
May 2021 • Solo
It was a cold and windy day and the tide hifh so I didn't dig a hole as didn't feel like getting undressed. You do need to dig with everyone else as only a couple of veins.
But at the moment without overseas tourists it's actually not too bad. Photos attached. Find the rock find the holes.
But at the moment without overseas tourists it's actually not too bad. Photos attached. Find the rock find the holes.
Written 14 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anthony G
Wellington, New Zealand1,091 contributions
Unique Experience, don’t forget your spade!
Oct 2020 • Family
If you’re in the Coromandel on holiday you’ll defiantly want to check out hot water beach. We got our timing wrong and turned up when everyone else had already arrived so couldn’t get a good spot. My advise,
1. Get your shovel
2. Arrive early prior to high tide so you can get a good spot
3. You’ll see the general area, look for the big rock just below the water line and line yourself up, you’ll be bang on position
4. Dig a big hole and sit in it
It’s a good laugh and you’ll be fighting off the pool vultures that have arrived late and want to share yours!
1. Get your shovel
2. Arrive early prior to high tide so you can get a good spot
3. You’ll see the general area, look for the big rock just below the water line and line yourself up, you’ll be bang on position
4. Dig a big hole and sit in it
It’s a good laugh and you’ll be fighting off the pool vultures that have arrived late and want to share yours!
Written 10 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jason D
Greytown, New Zealand47 contributions
Hectic but fun!
Feb 2021 • Family
An easy drive from Whitianga. We got there approx one hour before low tide at midday. Not too many people, not like how I've heard it gets. We found a good source of hot water and got digging!
Written 14 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
983jeu
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
Great family fun
Jan 2021
4th time visiting, absolutely love this classic kiwi beach. Always so much fun as you did your own hole. Water is so warm! However I would definitely recommend not going on a very busy day and also make sure you go at the right time with the tides.
Written 31 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amber P
Christchurch, New Zealand113 contributions
Not what we were expecting
Jan 2021 • Family
Was very busy and the hot water is only in two small parts of the beach. Certainly overrated considering what I was expecting from talking to people. It was so busy there were people standing in the water with spades reserving spots for when the tide went out more.
Probably better outside of school holidays when it's not so busy.
Probably better outside of school holidays when it's not so busy.
Written 19 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bluey P
11 contributions
Hot Water Beach, super crowded.
Jan 2021 • Family
We visited HWB on a Tuesday afternoon in the school holidays, it was packed full of people having a great time. Well worth the visit, just remember it may be busy.
Written 12 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bladesman09
Auckland Central, New Zealand60 contributions
Must Do!
Dec 2020 • Couples
Myself and partner headed to the beach for 7:45 am prior to low tide. We didn’t have a shovel but just borrowed one from other people who had finished digging (you can rent them from the lifeguard). We dug our hole for 20 mins or so and hopped in and enjoyed the warm water for a few hours. Incredible experience and one I will never forget. It’s a must try!
Written 29 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy G
North Island, New Zealand33 contributions
Great place on a miserable day
Oct 2020 • Family
We visited Hahei in October and Hot water beach was just a short drive away. We had two gloomy, wet, cold, windy days and what better place to be that your own hot pool. Find out when low tide is and head along any time 2 hours before, on the turn of the tide, up to 2 hours after so you have around a 4 hour window. We stayed about an hour. We parked in the parking lot closest to the beach (parking ticket machines are seized up but we left a couple of $$). Armed with towels, a bucket and a spade we walked the short way. You do need to wade through an ankle deep cold water stream. Our kids wore wet suits. We just wore togs with warm clothes over - a jacket or warm sweatshirt is good for the walk back, we also wore beanies as there was a cold wind. A couple of minutes walk found us at the right spot in front of the rocks. Around 4-5 other groups were already there. It wasn't at all busy. Dig your hole and have a stream of cold water and hot water coming in to get the right temp. It's quite fun especially if you have someone in your group on digging duty while you relax!! The bucket we filled with cold water from the sea to splash in when it got a bit hot but it's not necessary as you can dig a little stream from the sea to let in the cold water.
Written 11 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kayla
Palmerston North, New Zealand31 contributions
Very cool
Oct 2020 • Family
It’s very cool being able to dig into the sand to get the water however the water is literally boiling hot! You can’t sit in it or else you get burnt! Also very crowded and lots of people. A nice beach for swimming tho.
Written 4 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brittany
Sevierville, TN122 contributions
Lackluster
Feb 2020 • Couples
We were so interested in taking a detour to Hot Water Beach and digging our own spot. Unfortunately we were not there at the right time, and the beach itself was just sand and water. Fairly abandoned. Much prettier beaches to visit in my opinion!
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JosieH
London115 contributions
Hi, odd question but we have a tight itinerary in NZ, really want to visit HWB but the only day we can go the low tide is 8pm. Sunset is around 6pm. Do people still visit once it's getting dark ? is it obvious where y ou go to dig?
ThatTallLass
Brayton, UK47 contributions
If you have a tight schedule I honestly wouldn't include Hot Water Beach. The idea that you can dig your own little hot pool is cool, but be aware that the area where you can do this is actually quite small. Me and my boyfriend went on a weekday in October, so not even peak season, and there were a lot of people there in the hot water area so not enough room for us to dig our own pool. The further away you have to go from the "Danger Hot Water" sign, the deeper you have to dig to actually get the hot water, and by about 10m away from the sign the water is just cold.
If you're not doing anything else on the Coromandel Peninsula then I wouldn't say it's worth the time it takes out of your schedule to drive up to HWB.
Hope you have a great time whatever you decide! :)
Rdrusty1977
Bicester, UK41 contributions
What time is low tide and the best time to go?
LoreneF777
Minneapolis, MN72 contributions
It changes every day. Search online for low tide at hot water beach and the date you'd like to go. 2 hours before or after are perfect. if you go in the second 2 hours you can often take over an already dug hole. ;)
Rdrusty1977
Bicester, UK41 contributions
What time is low tide and the best time to go?
readysteadyteddy
Cambridge, UK61 contributions
Google 'New Zealand Hot Water Beach Tides'. We went early, 3 hours before low tide. There were people already at the hot spots and it just went on getting busier (and cooler as the hot water was spread around further).
Kai Yuan
London, UK1 contribution
I am planning a trip to Coromandel Peninsula and I have some doubts that would like to clarify:
This is my itinerary:
11 00 Hot Water Beach
17 00 Sunset @ Cathedral Cove Walk
Just wondering:
(a) Will it be too cold if I visit hot water beach on May?
(b) Do they have a place on the beach for me to clean up (like a quick shower)?
(c) Just wondering do you have any place recommend in between my hot water beach and cathedral cove walk?
Thanks
Jo B
116 contributions
the thing with Hot Water Beach is that you need to go there 2 hours before to 2 hours after low tide. the natural underground springs are at the low tide mark. it's not too cold in May to visit as the springs are really warm.
Charles L
0 contributions
Due to my flight time and short period of time in Auckland, I can only get to the beach 1.5 hours after the low tide..... is there any point or will I still get to see the glory of the hot water spas?! (I don’t necessarily need to dig and lay in one)
Südseetraum
Switzerland1,041 contributions
Not worth going there.
It’s overcrowded and overrated.
The drive is too tiring to even think about it.
Rather go to a nice hot pool somewhere and relax in the spa!
Tracy Rangi Y
0 contributions
Is this beach crowded all year round..think of visiting between 16th-22rd.
mekydro
Chertsey, UK859 contributions
The beach will be crowded for about 2.5 hours either side of low tide; even then its only the bits that have hot water underneath. The rest of it will be almost deserted!
halolollol
Wellington, New Zealand1 contribution
Hi there, I am planning to go there this Saturday. i wonder do you know how much they charge if renting a shovel on the beach？
Leo L
Singapore, Singapore135 contributions
There is a lifeguard hut at the far end of the carpark where they rent out shovels for $5. Not sure if they require a deposit.
ShaneLean
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia145 contributions
Hi Expert,
I am going to Hot Water Beach tomorrow. May I know how to know the low tides time? I do not understand it read the data online which it said 3am? From the photos, it seems like before sunset? Appreciate someone can confirm. Tks!
Emmajury
Warwick, UK61 contributions
Tides are different every day. Just look the tide times up.
Peroshni
0 contributions
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
alannevillenz
Hamilton, New Zealand190 contributions
Not really sure. Different beaches have different rules. Have never seen a dog there but best to check the web-site.