Tutukaka Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Tutukaka showing a bay or harbour and a sandy beach
Tutukaka showing a bay or harbour and a sandy beach
Tutukaka featuring a bay or harbour, water sports and a sandy beach
Tutukaka which includes rocky coastline, a beach and a bay or harbour
Tutukaka featuring a bay or harbour, a coastal town and a beach

With diving and fishing charters, sandy beaches and excellent restaurants, you’ll see why this natural harbour is one of Northland’s most popular destinations.

The small community of Tutukaka and its surrounding coastline contains secluded swimming beaches and scenic forested areas. Come here to swim, snorkel, bushwalk, dive and fish. Enjoy a relaxed coffee in a café at the marina or venture inland for some of the best nature trails in the Northland Region.

Stop at Tutukaka Marina for its cafés, restaurants and small range of stores selling locally made handicrafts. Watch yachts bobbing on the water or reserve a spot on a fishing or diving charter boat with one of the many companies operating from the marina. Tutukaka Marina hosts a weekend market where you can purchase freshly caught seafood and local produce.

The Tutukaka Coast contains some of the finest beaches in New Zealand. Drive to Matapouri Bay from the marina in just 10 minutes to see pristine golden sand and turquoise waters. Other great Tutukaka Coast daytrips include the popular swimming beaches of Whale Bay, Woolley’s Bay and Whangaumu Bay.

Rent a surfboard from a surf shop in Tutukaka and drive to Sandy Bay, approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) from the marina. The bay is one of the best surf beaches on the Tutukaka Coast. Learn how to surf from an instructor or watch experienced surfers ride clean waves in surfing competitions held year-round.

Many diving companies and fishing charter boats operate from Tutukaka Marina and cater to all experience levels. If you have prior experience, try wreck diving with a specialist diver. See decommissioned Royal New Zealand Navy vessels deep below the water’s surface on a wreck trip.

Tutukaka is located about 190 kilometres (120 miles) from Auckland on the North Island’s east coast. The city has many boutique hotels, self-contained apartments and affordable lodges. Alternatively, book accommodation in the nearby coastal village of Ngunguru.

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Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka

Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka

4 out of 5
1 Marina Drive, Rd3 Tutukaka
The price is AU$187 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
AU$187
3 Mar - 4 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Tutukaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Tutukaka ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (555 reviews)
Clean, spacious and comfortable. Easy check in.

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2026

Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka
Quintessential Kiwi Bach right on the Beach !!

Quintessential Kiwi Bach right on the Beach !!

Tutukaka Northland
Stay at this beach holiday home in Tutukaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and a garden. Popular attractions Motutara Island and Whangaumu Bay are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (80 reviews)
Great location and perfect for our two little families. The kids could come and go freely from the beach, and we could keep an eye on them at all times. The bach had everything you need for a weekend away.

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

Quintessential Kiwi Bach right on the Beach !!
Pacific Rendezvous

Pacific Rendezvous

4 out of 5
73 Motel Road Tutukaka Northland
The price is AU$226 per night from 18 Mar to 19 Mar
AU$226
18 Mar - 19 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Tutukaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Philip Island and Rahomaunu Island are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (238 reviews)
All good. The rooms vary a lot in view. We were in #1 and it had a nice view of the cove. #6 has an incredible view of the entry to the harbor.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Pacific Rendezvous
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.
Quintessential Kiwi Bach right on the Beach !!

Quintessential Kiwi Bach right on the Beach !!

Tutukaka Northland
Stay at this beach holiday home in Tutukaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and a garden. Popular attractions Motutara Island and Whangaumu Bay are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (80 reviews)
Great location and perfect for our two little families. The kids could come and go freely from the beach, and we could keep an eye on them at all times. The bach had everything you need for a weekend away.

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

Quintessential Kiwi Bach right on the Beach !!
Pacific Rendezvous

Pacific Rendezvous

4 out of 5
73 Motel Road Tutukaka Northland
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Tutukaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Philip Island and Rahomaunu Island are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (238 reviews)
All good. The rooms vary a lot in view. We were in #1 and it had a nice view of the cove. #6 has an incredible view of the entry to the harbor.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Pacific Rendezvous
Tutukaka Heads Lodge

Tutukaka Heads Lodge

Tutukaka Northland
Stay at this apartment in Tutukaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and balconies. Popular attractions Tutukaka Headland and Dive Tutukaka are located nearby.
Tutukaka Heads Lodge
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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Tutukaka

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
12
5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

It's a fantastic place to stay, with top beaches not far away great little restaurants and ambience of place is great

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful views, beaches and walks, the best place in NZ to relax!

Cities near Tutukaka

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