Matai Bay
Matai Bay
4.6
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4.6
25 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Anna D
Sydney, Australia323 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
The guidebook we got with our rental campervan recommended Matai Bay and it worked in well with our plans so we stopped overnight. The DOC campsite has possibly the best view of any campsite you’ll ever find - simply stunning. The beach is gorgeous, the water blue and clear. We liked it so much we returned for another night on our way back south from Cape Reinga. The upper campsite has long-drop toilets, the lower campsite has flush toilets. Both have cold showers. By all accounts it is extremely busy around the Christmas-New Year period but in early December the campsite was no more than a third full.
Written 1 August 2020
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.
BZONCE
Auckland, New Zealand989 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Sadly we didn’t get to have a swim in Matai as it was getting late but the bay itself is beautiful and we did put our feet in and it felt cool-warm and like a nice calm beach that felt safe.
There were two sides and the other looked a little more rough.
We sat and had a little picnic and listened to the water and looked at the view on the mountain before heading back to our Bach.
There is as a camp ground there for those interested.
There were two sides and the other looked a little more rough.
We sat and had a little picnic and listened to the water and looked at the view on the mountain before heading back to our Bach.
There is as a camp ground there for those interested.
Written 5 February 2021
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.
T R
7 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Absolutely beautiful water and beach. Was too cold for swimming this trip (early Jan). A few options for of nice walks around the bays, rockfalls and beaches. Lots of birds, insect ad sea life to see. We stayed in the DOC campground and the shared facilities were well maintained and most people followed camp-site rules and etiquette (not happy about quad bikes allowed though). Beach and campground was quite exposed to the wind.
Written 11 January 2020
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.
karabatraveller
Sydney70 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Local Maori have closed this public beach. From the closed gate it’s about a 300m walk to the beach via the campsite road, be turned back to your car by ‘greeters’. Although interesting we saw a couple of people on the beach - suspect locals.
Really sad as it was the last place we spent time with our Mum before she died and we come every year to remember her.
Really sad as it was the last place we spent time with our Mum before she died and we come every year to remember her.
Written 28 March 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.
Karen W
Brisbane Region, Australia2,177 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
Looking out to the Pacific Ocean a great spot to see the beach and have a picnic, swimming, diving, camping ground's, so remote and serene, unsealed to roads in parts but well worth the short trip.
Looked like good fishing in both bays just a 30 second walk between the two.
Looked like good fishing in both bays just a 30 second walk between the two.
Written 22 April 2017
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.
Nina B
Auckland Central, New Zealand303 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Matai Bay is a heart shaped bay with two beautiful beaches, Waikato Bay on the right and Maitai Bay on the left. My favourite one was Waikato Bay. Walk towards the end of this beautiful beach and you will come across a large Pohutukawa tree and rock pools with super clear water.
Written 24 July 2021
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.
QPR-ALLBLACKS-Fan
Cambridge, New Zealand356 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
The Karikari Peninsula is stunning, and its ‘jewell in the crown’ is Matai Bay. It’s a beautiful horseshoe shaped bay with golden sands, crystal clear water, a great walking track and a camping area right by the beach.
We absolutely loved it, you will too.
We absolutely loved it, you will too.
Written 18 October 2020
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.
JPY
London, UK573 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We were blessed with glorious weather when we visited Maitai Bay and it is very beautiful.
We parked in the parking area next to Waikato Bay and found that this bay was even more beautiful than Maitai, it is also significantly quieter. There is a cut through from the parking area onto Maitai beach, so you have two world class beaches only 30 seconds apart!
We really enjoyed swimming here, it is truly amazing - highly recommend as two of the best beaches in NZ.
We parked in the parking area next to Waikato Bay and found that this bay was even more beautiful than Maitai, it is also significantly quieter. There is a cut through from the parking area onto Maitai beach, so you have two world class beaches only 30 seconds apart!
We really enjoyed swimming here, it is truly amazing - highly recommend as two of the best beaches in NZ.
Written 15 May 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.
irene b
10 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
A jewel in northland.. that thanks to Iwi and Dept of Conservation is pristine and preserved as a quiet and beautiful bay alongside Waikato Bay.
Written 6 May 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.
ashevillefab5
Asheville, NC113 contributions
Jan 2022
not accessible at this time. DOC website listed the campground closed but walking trails open, but entrance is chained off by community iwi, with signage indicating visitors not welcome, so we left. hopefully we can return again when open.
Written 11 January 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.
I note the campsite here can’t be prebooked and is first come first served. How likely is it over the peak period between Christmas and week after new years will be space available on arrival even if just for a night or 2?
Written 27 July 2024
Yes you do, but it’s inexpensive - $15 per night per adult. It’s about the most beautiful campsite I’ve ever stayed at and well worth the cost!
Written 8 October 2020
marypmeyer
Burlington, Vermont
Can we rent snorkeling gear at Matai Bay or do we need to bring our own?
Written 20 September 2017
Sorry about the late response. No, there's no commercial setup at Matai Bay as far as I can tell. Bring everything you need
Written 3 October 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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