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
1,601 reviews
Excellent
782
Very good
511
Average
218
Poor
60
Terrible
30
AucklandWiz
Auckland, New Zealand1,563 contributions
May 2022
We visited this beach mid week. Did not really have any intention of getting sandy and wet as the days are cooler now. So with no plans to 'dig', we just to have a stroll to the hot water area and back again. Had a lovely walk- only us and another couple on the beach. The cherry on the top was the visit to the Art shop- Moko which borders the parallel parking on the street. A lovely couple resides here with the store behind their home and the shop is full of interesting bibs and bobs, and it is affordable. Great place to buy a momento, a gift for someone, or just to admire his beautiful garden that sits in front of the store and shoot the breeze with them and their friends who also popped by.
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
WendyMcP59
Pukekohe East, Auckland, New Zealand22 contributions
Mar 2022
Have never been to a beach before and had to pay for parking. Thought this was odd. Other people weren't very impressed either with parking kiosks.
Written 18 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Josh C
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
Hot water is in the beach. It does what it says on the box.
Recommend taking a spade, or use your hands. Do whatever you want; you’re an adult.
Recommend taking a spade, or use your hands. Do whatever you want; you’re an adult.
Written 1 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bex I
Silverdale, New Zealand129 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
Arrived at low tide yo discover you really need to get there earlier to get a good spot. Not very small portion of beach offers the opportunity to dig for hot water. This is a walk of about 200 m along the beach. There is parking - note you are supposed to pay for this however signs are hard to see. There is a large toilet block/ change rooms which is handy with outside shower. There is a shop/kiosk as well. Beach is more of a surf beach than relaxing swimming. Worth a visit for the novelty factor.
Written 11 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
funchick37
Christchurch, New Zealand235 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Beautiful beach. Enjoyed swim and sun soaking. Be careful of the rips and swim between the flags. I got in trouble out to deep and caught in a rip. Luckily rescued by a surf life saver . So thankful. Hot water pools were nice but was a hot day so beach was nicer. Clear stunning water
Written 2 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kennedy R
Thames, New Zealand17 contributions
Feb 2021
What a cool place! took us a little while to find the right spot but we learnt that if you dig your heals in the sand you can feel if its a good spot or not. They aren't kidding about it being hot! super relaxing once you have your hole dug.
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
stumblethru
Melbourne, Australia72 contributions
Jul 2021
This was so cool! The gods were smiling upon us that day as it had been pouring all morning and we finally caught a break to go out to the beach, so there were only about 5 other people there. Apparently can get very crowded in the summer so we were so lucky to basically have the space to ourselves. We had heard that you just need to basically find a spot and dig - what happened was someone came along and said that the coast guard told them where the spot was, which was near some rocks. Unfortunately, the tide was coming in, so we didn't have long there, but we found the spot and all we had to do was dig our toes into the sand, and the water bubbled up and yes - it was boiling! But so fascinating and cool. We loved it!
Written 20 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stu T
Tauranga, New Zealand163 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
As advertised, it's a beach with water that's hot!
The area that's hot is much smaller than I expected. Luckily we came in winter when there was only a small number of people. I wouldn't like to come on a busy summer's day.
The source of the hot water truly is scolding hot, so take care.
The area that's hot is much smaller than I expected. Luckily we came in winter when there was only a small number of people. I wouldn't like to come on a busy summer's day.
The source of the hot water truly is scolding hot, so take care.
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kim S
Tauranga, New Zealand531 contributions
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 Zealand1,142 contributions
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.
JosieH
London130 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, UK52 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, MN75 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.
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!
Is this beach crowded all year round..think of visiting between 16th-22rd.
mekydro
Chertsey, UK944 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, Malaysia144 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.
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
OutThere-Kiwi
Auckland Central, New Zealand89 contributions
We've definitely seen people walking their dogs on Hot Water Beach and if we recall correctly there is something about dogs mentioned on a sign at the surf beach parking - they must be on leads, clean up afterwards etc. Just bear in mind that many NZ beaches have different rules for dogs depending on the season, with more restrictions during the summer months. Hope that helps.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hot Water Beach
- We recommend booking Hot Water Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 Hot Water Beach tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Hot Water Beach:
- Small-Group Coromandel Peninsula Day Trip from Auckland (From $414.24)
- The Coromandel Day Tour (From $529.32)
- Stray New Zealand: Tui (From $3,472.47)
- Coro Coaster (From $398.64)
- Coromandel Peninsula Day Tour (From $593.24)
- Hotels near Hot Water Beach:
- (0.66 km) Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
- (0.41 km) Hot Water Beach Bed & Breakfast
- (0.48 km) Auntie Dawns Place
- (4.89 km) The Church Accommodation
- (5.40 km) Hahei Horizon Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Hot Water Beach:
- (0.40 km) Hot Waves Cafe
- (0.29 km) Hotties Eatery
- (0.30 km) Hotties Shop
- (6.30 km) Purangi Winery Pizzeria
- (4.90 km) The Church Bistro
- Attractions near Hot Water Beach:
- (0.30 km) Sandshifters
- (4.94 km) Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours
- (5.01 km) Hahei Explorer Cathedral Cove Boat Tour
- (5.87 km) Hahei Beach Walk
- (11.70 km) Cave Cruzer