About
Ninety Mile Beach is a long stretch of coast on the western side of New Zealand's North Island, in Oceania. Despite its name, the beach is actually about 55 miles long, so the name is best read as a reminder that it once seemed far longer than it is. What you find here is wide, open sand, backed by dunes and met by strong surf.
What the beach is like
The sand is golden and runs for miles, broken only by the dunes that rise behind it. The surf can be powerful, so the beach suits visitors who enjoy watching the sea and walking the shoreline more than those looking for calm, sheltered swimming. Wide views in every direction make it a good place for a slow, unhurried walk.
Driving on the sand
One of the beach's most distinctive features is that it is a designated highway. At low tide, vehicles can drive along the sand, which turns a simple stretch of coastline into a road trip. This is a different kind of visit from a typical beach day, and it is worth planning around the tides and the conditions on the day.
Planning your visit
- Check the tide before you go, especially if you intend to drive on the sand.
- Bring food, water and clothing for wind, since the beach is open and exposed.
- Allow time simply to walk and look; the scale of the landscape is the main attraction.
Ninety Mile Beach suits travellers who like wide landscapes, long walks and the experience of driving along a beach. It is a destination best approached with a clear sense of the tides and weather, and with time to enjoy its open, unfussy character.
