Whangamatā
Coromandel · 4hr session
Beach break · Sandbar left
Beginner to Advanced
The Bar at the harbour mouth + 4km of beach. Headline day to start the trip.
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Five days circumnavigating the Coromandel Peninsula: Whangamatā's iconic Bar, Hot Water Beach's geothermal combo, the empty Whangapoua / New Chums, plus Pauanui, Tairua, Matarangi and Otama. Surf-camping at its best.
5Days
7Stops
550kmDrive total
7.5hrDriving
E / NEBest swell
W / SWBest wind
Trip forecast best of each day, by stop
Day 1
Whangamatā
—
Day 2
Pauanui
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Day 2
Tairua
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Day 3
Hot Water Beach
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Day 4
Whangapoua / New Chums
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Day 5
Otama
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Day 5
Matarangi
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Day 1 is today. Forecast refreshes every 3 hours.
Start / finish
Day-by-day itinerary
Sort:
Pauanui
Coromandel · 2hr session
Beach break · River mouth left
All levels
Morning paddle at Pauanui for the friendlier beach peaks. River mouth left if the bar is shaped.
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Tairua
Coromandel · 2hr session
Beach break · Harbour bar
Intermediate to Advanced
Afternoon at Tairua Ocean Beach + the harbour bar. Sister spot to Pauanui, a five-minute drive between them.
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Hot Water Beach
Coromandel · 3hr session
Beach break · Lefts and rights
Beginner to Advanced
North end left + the southern right reef. Hot springs at low tide for the rest day.
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Whangapoua / New Chums
Coromandel · 5hr session
Beach break · Walk-in option
All levels
Whangapoua's bay then walk over to New Chums for the empty paddle. 40-minute walk each way, timed for the lower half of the tide.
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Otama
Coromandel · 2hr session
Beach break
All levels
Morning session at Otama on a north swell. Empty beach, mellow peaks.
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Matarangi
Coromandel · 2hr session
Beach break · River bar
All levels
Final stop at Matarangi's long beach before the drive home. East end gentler peaks.
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Where to stay
- Whangamatā Motor Camp (night 1)
- Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park (night 2)
- Tairua Campground or Pauanui motel/bach (night 3)
- Whangapoua baches or Matarangi village rental (night 4)
- TCDC freedom-camping bylaw varies by location, so check each spot's camping notes
Things to do nearby
- Cathedral Cove walk (15 min from Hot Water Beach)
- Pinnacles hike from Kauaeranga Valley (full day from Thames)
- Matarangi golf course
- The Lost Spring thermal pools (Whitianga)
Bring this trip to life
Aotearoa Surf can help with lessons, board hire and accommodation across most North Island routes. Get in touch for a guided run of any of these trips.
Plan a guided trip