Hot Water Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

In the chaos of trying to stay warm in the hot springs at hot water beach. #EndlessSummer
In the chaos of trying to stay warm in the hot springs at hot water beach. #EndlessSummer
Awesome place to have a hot soak during New Zealand's winter months...if you're up to braving the chill in the air...plus it's a gorgeous view. Just find a spot at low tide, dig a hole and watch the warm water bubble up from the hot earth below #wanderlust
Hot water beach is quite the experience. You have to go 2hours +/- low tide, bring a spade (most places rent them, I was able to get one from my hostel), and you can dig your own hot tub on the beach! However it definitely takes more than one person to dig the right size hole! So make some friends and work together! (This picture is my attempt to dig my own hole and it was so not working... Thankfully a group of awesome people invited me into theirs they had dug already). It's also not a very big area, and only some spots are hot, so you can start digging and have a "bust" of a location. It's very strange and super awesome. And warning it's VERY HOT in places. I near burned myself numerous times with my hands or feet digging deeper in the sand! Overall though - DO IT. Awesome, can't do most places experience.
Hot water beach is quite the experience. You have to go 2hours +/- low tide, bring a spade (most places rent them, I was able to get one from my hostel), and you can dig your own hot tub on the beach! However it definitely takes more than one person to dig the right size hole! So make some friends and work together! It's also not a very big area, and only some spots are hot, so you can start digging and have a "bust" of a location. It's very strange and super awesome. And warning it's VERY HOT in places. I near burned myself numerous times with my hands or feet digging deeper in the sand! Overall though - DO IT. Awesome, can't do most places experience.
Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

3 out of 5
790 Hot Water Beach Road, Waikato Hot Water Beach
The price is AU$151 per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
AU$151
11 Feb - 12 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday park in Hot Water Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (558 reviews)
Generally clean, some washers and dryers not working.

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2026

Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Albert Number 6 Motel

Albert Number 6 Motel

3 out of 5
6 Albert Street Whitianga
The price is AU$147 per night from 5 Feb to 6 Feb
AU$147
5 Feb - 6 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Whitianga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and free bicycles on-site. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (407 reviews)
Clean room and excellent location

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Albert Number 6 Motel
Pacific Harbour Villas

Pacific Harbour Villas

4 out of 5
223 Main Rd Tairua
The price is AU$204 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
AU$204
3 Feb - 4 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach cabin in Tairua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Tairua Library and Pepe Reserve are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (199 reviews)
excellent location, clean rooms and had all the amenities we need to make our trip there perfect...

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Pacific Harbour Villas
See all 713 properties in Hot Water Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Boutique Apartment with Sea Views (Bure 2 - Wai)

Boutique Apartment with Sea Views (Bure 2 - Wai)

Hot Water Beach Hot Water Beach
Stay at this apartment in Hot Water Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
Great property in a lovely setting with easy access to beach .

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2025

Boutique Apartment with Sea Views (Bure 2 - Wai)
Pacific Harbour Villas

Pacific Harbour Villas

4 out of 5
223 Main Rd Tairua
Stay at this beach cabin in Tairua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Tairua Library and Pepe Reserve are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (199 reviews)
excellent location, clean rooms and had all the amenities we need to make our trip there perfect...

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Pacific Harbour Villas
Oceans Resort Whitianga

Oceans Resort Whitianga

4.5 out of 5
18 Eyre Stree Whitianga
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Whitianga. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Cathedral Cove and Hahei Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (305 reviews)
Great heated outdoor salt pool. Perfect when weather at the beach was pretty average. Close to Lost Springs too.

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

Oceans Resort Whitianga
See all properties in Hot Water Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Hot Water Beach

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
10
5 - Excellent 59%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I went to Hahei and Cathedral cove which was really close to Hot Water Beach. Been before so didnt even check it out

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Going in october meant there were not lots of other tourists.A unique experience to enjoy the hot water seeping thru the sand.Great!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful part of the world

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely quiet Beach - if you’re not into wallowing in sand holes with heaps of people, there’s still a beautiful beach to walk and explore.

5/5 - Excellent

Riasat

My kids loved the hot water beach Good place one of the Nz must see

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Would have given 5 stars but parking prices need to be cheaper at the beachs around that area

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