Really beautiful beach and amazing sunsets! The black sand is ultra fine and smooth. Most part of the beach you can park your car directly on the beach itself.

Not a white sand postcard pretty beach, but Kariotahi has a charm of its own, not least because it is often overlooked as a destination beach. So no tourist crowds or packed car parks. Just roll right up to the beach with its wide black sand foreshore and park free. There are lifeguards at peak summer times, but all west coast beaches are wild and can be dangerous so caution is needed. Bring food and drink as Waiuku is the nearest pit stop apart from Castaway on the cliff edge above, which may not be available.

Yes, this beach facing Tasman Sea covered totally with black sand. A bit hot and dry on summer, and because no trees along the beach front, do not expect any shadow protections under the hot sunshine. prepare to bring your own umbrella. Anyway for people wanting to do water play, there is a small strip on the water protected by life guards, also there is horse riding activity on this beach, as well as dog walking area. For some with more adrenaline junkies, they play parasailing jumping from the hill behind the beach and finally landing on this beach. Not bad as a free recreational place for the whole family, but also not a truly spectacular beach, just average.