Location
New Zealand
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
December to March
About Little Palm Beach
Little Palm Beach is a small sandy cove on the north coast of Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, at the western end of the main Palm Beach and divided from it by a rocky outcrop. It is the island's best-known nude beach and has been used for clothing-optional bathing for decades, although it has never been formally designated. The cove is short and sheltered, facing north across the gulf, with pōhutukawa trees on the slopes behind giving some shade, and the water is calm and good for swimming in settled weather. The crowd is mixed: naturists and clothed visitors share the sand, and reports suggest the beach is most clearly nude in the mornings, with more clothed people arriving through the middle of the day in summer. There are no toilets, showers or changing facilities in the cove itself; cafés, a store and toilets are a short walk away at Palm Beach. Little Onetangi, further east, is the island's other informally nude beach.
Getting there
Take the passenger ferry from downtown Auckland to Matiatia (about 45 minutes), then a local bus or taxi to Palm Beach; car ferries run to Kennedy Point. From Palm Beach, either scramble west over the rocks at the end of the main beach (easiest at lower tide) or take the short, steep track that leads down from Cory Road. Parking is limited to roadside spaces on the surrounding streets and at Palm Beach. The track and rocks are uneven, so the cove is not wheelchair accessible.
What visitors say
Visitors generally describe a relaxed, respectful mix of naturists and clothed beachgoers, with little hassle. Several note that the beach is more clearly nude early in the day and gets busier with clothed visitors around midday in summer. People like the calm water and pretty setting, and advise bringing water and shade since there is nothing in the cove itself, with cafés and toilets back at Palm Beach. The rocky approach is easier at lower tide.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
New Zealand has no officially designated nude beaches, but nudity in a public place is not in itself an offence; indecent exposure under the Summary Offences Act 1981 requires intent to insult or offend, as the High Court confirmed in Ceramalus v Police (1991). Little Palm is accepted locally as a nude beach but is not officially designated, so keep nudity within the cove and off Palm Beach (2026).
Naturism at Little Palm Beach sits under New Zealand's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: New Zealand public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. -36.7796, 175.0398
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in New Zealand
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity legal at Little Palm Beach?
Nudity is not an offence in itself in New Zealand unless intended to offend, and Little Palm is a long-accepted clothing-optional cove, though not officially designated.
How do I get to the nude section?
Walk to the western end of Palm Beach and cross the rocks, or use the steep track down from Cory Road.
Are there toilets?
Not in the cove; the nearest facilities and cafés are at the main Palm Beach.
Can I get there without a car?
Yes. Ferry from Auckland to Matiatia, then bus or taxi to Palm Beach.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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