New Zealand naturist beaches

Allans Beach is a long white-sand beach on the Pacific coast of the Otago Peninsula, about 25 km by road from central Dunedin and 6 km from Portobello. It forms the seaward side of a spit at the mouth of Hoopers Inlet and is reached by a short track of about 300 m from the car park. Its far ends are quiet enough for informal nude sunbathing, and a long beach walk leads north towards Victory Beach. Wildlife such as sea lions and penguins use the shore, so keep a respectful distance.

Ashworths Beach is a long, open stretch of grey sand and shingle on the Pegasus Bay coast near Leithfield Beach in North Canterbury, reached via Ashworths Beach Road. The dunes and low traffic make it a long-standing informal spot for nude sunbathing and swimming, away from the busier beaches closer to Christchurch. There are no facilities on the sand itself and the surf can be strong, so swim with care, keep a respectful distance from other users and cover up near the access track.

Auckland.

Barrytown Beach runs along the wild West Coast of the South Island beside the small settlement of Barrytown, between Greymouth and Punakaiki. It is a broad, empty beach of dark sand and driftwood backed by flax and bush, and its isolation has made it an informal place for nude walking and sunbathing. The Tasman Sea here is cold with powerful surf and rips, so most visitors stay out of deep water. Bring everything you need, as services are limited to the nearby highway.

Beach at Waimama Recreational Reserve is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Boulder Beach is a rocky, hard-to-reach beach on the southern side of the Otago Peninsula, roughly 16 km by road from central Dunedin. Steep farmland and a long descent keep visitor numbers very low, which is why it is listed among Dunedin's informal nude beaches. Yellow-eyed penguins nest behind the beach, and the area is closed to the public from November to February to protect them. Outside that period, visitors should stay well clear of wildlife, carry everything in and out, and expect no facilities at all.

Breaker Bay lies on the south-east coast of the Miramar Peninsula near Seatoun, facing the entrance to Wellington Harbour. It is a bay about 600 metres wide, with pockets of sand and rock between the coast road and the sea. Clothed bathers gather near the roadside car park, while nude sunbathing has long been tolerated towards the far end of the bay, round the point, where people go to be out of sight of the road. The beach is shared with families and dog walkers, so discretion matters. There are no toilets or changing rooms, the beach is not patrolled, and the bay can be windy, especially when the wind comes from the Cook Strait side. The water is cold and rocky. Nudity here is informal rather than an official nude-beach status, and none of the sources reviewed describes a designated area.

Carters Beach is a seaside settlement about 6 km west of Westport on the South Island's West Coast, with a sheltered sandy beach that runs for more than 9 km from the Buller River jetty towards Cape Foulwind. FreeBeaches NZ lists the beach near the Beachside development as a place for informal nude bathing. The quieter stretches away from the settlement are the most suitable. It is an open, exposed coast, so check surf and tide conditions, and keep to discreet areas away from houses and families.

Doctors Point sits at the northern edge of Blueskin Bay near Waitati, about 20 km north of Dunedin. The point and its beaches are public reserve on land once owned by a group of Dunedin doctors. Around the point the shore breaks into sandy coves, rocky outcrops and sea caves, reachable along the beach at low tide. Naturists from the Southern Free Beaches club have used it for years, and the club's World Naked Bike Ride has finished here with a beach walk and lunch. The beach is also used by families, walkers and kayakers, so nude bathers head for the coves away from the car park. Wildlife, including penguins, uses the shore. There are no facilities at the beach, and the water is cold most of the year.

Fitzpatrick Bay is a small, secluded cove on the upper Waitematā Harbour shore in west Auckland, reached by a short bush walk. Its seclusion has made it a long-standing informal spot for nude sunbathing and swimming. The harbour water is calm but tidal, and at low tide the bay becomes muddy, so time a visit around high water. There are no facilities, and users are expected to keep the place tidy and respect nearby residents.

Herne Bay is an inner-city Auckland suburb on the Waitematā Harbour, and its small sandy and rocky coves below the cliffs have been listed as informal places for nude sunbathing. These are urban beaches overlooked by houses, so discretion matters: choose the quieter corners, stay low-key and cover up if families or residents are nearby. The harbour water is sheltered but tidal, and access is via public steps and walkways between properties.

Hikuraki Bay is a small, remote bay on the southern coast of Banks Peninsula, between Magnet Bay and Tokoroa Bay. It borders private farmland and is reached on foot, so very few people visit, which has made it a quiet place for nude sunbathing. The bay has archaeological traces of early Māori camps, so treat the site with care. There are no facilities, and the open southern coast can be exposed to cold swells and wind.

Homestead Bay is on the remote western shore of Lake Wānaka, reached from the West Wānaka side and the Homestead Bay track. FreeBeaches NZ lists the shoreline here as an informal spot for nude swimming and sunbathing, noting that the walk from the bay to the favoured area depends on the lake level and is only about 100 m when the water is low. The setting is quiet farmland and mountains with no facilities. Lake Wānaka is cold even in summer, so swim with care.

Kaikai Beach is a small, sheltered sandy beach at the end of a gravel road north of Dunedin, next to Whareakeake. Steep hills and the walk in keep numbers low, and nude sunbathing has long been accepted on the quieter parts of the beach. The water is cold and the surf can be lively, so take care swimming. There are no facilities, so bring what you need and take your rubbish home.

Karekare is a wild black-sand surf beach on Auckland's west coast, inside the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park and just south of Piha. A short drive down a winding road from the ranges ends in a small settlement among bush-clad hills, with a waterfall a few minutes' walk inland and a broad expanse of iron sand and dunes stretching south toward Whatipū. The beach became world-famous as the location of the film The Piano. Naturists have used Karekare for decades, and guides list it among Auckland's recognised nude beaches. Nude bathers tend to spread out along the wide, quieter stretches of sand away from the car park and surf-patrol area, where there is plenty of room to keep a distance from clothed visitors. As the beach has become more popular, most people you meet near the entrance will be clothed. The surf is powerful and the rips are dangerous, as on all of Auckland's west coast, so swim only between the flags when the beach is patrolled. There is little shade on the sand, and the wind can be strong; the dunes and stream behind the beach are worth exploring.

Remote black sand beach with nudist use.

Kaueranga Valley is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Kopu-Hikuai Swimming Hole is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Ladies Bay is a small, sheltered cove tucked beneath the cliffs of St Heliers in Auckland's eastern suburbs, just below Achilles Point and its lookout over the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto and the inner islands. It is Auckland's best-known nude beach and the closest one to the city centre. The beach is a short strip of fine sand with rocky edges and reefs at either end, backed by bush and pōhutukawa trees that give welcome shade on summer afternoons. Despite the name, it is not a women-only beach. Nudity is customary along the whole cove; there is no sign, so first-time visitors are sometimes surprised, but swimwear is equally acceptable. Auckland's tourism agency describes it as an approved nudist beach, while the council has declined to put up signage. The crowd is a mix of long-time naturists, locals and the occasional tourist; weekdays are much quieter than sunny weekends. The water is generally calm and clear but there are no lifeguards, and the beach is small enough at high tide that space can feel tight. There are no facilities on the sand; cafés, toilets and shops are in St Heliers village below.

Lake Kaniere is a deep glacial lake about 25 km east of Hokitika on the South Island's West Coast, ringed by mountains and rimu forest. FreeBeaches NZ lists it as a nude bathing spot: a walking track starts roughly halfway around the lake, opposite Dorothy Falls, and leads to small secluded beaches with scattered rocks. The water is clear and cold, and sandflies can be fierce, so bring repellent. There are no facilities at the beaches, and the scenic reserve rules on fires and litter apply.

Little Onetangi is the small cove at the western end of Onetangi Bay on the north coast of Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Onetangi is Waiheke's longest beach, a broad sweep of fine sand with shallow, calm water, and its western end, toward Little Onetangi, has long been used for clothing-optional bathing. Local commentary describes Little Onetangi and Little Palm Beach as Waiheke's two known nude beaches, while noting that neither has any formal status. Travel writers describe the western end of Onetangi as quiet even at the height of summer, in contrast to the busier central part of the bay with its cafés and beachfront restaurants. The water shelves gently and is generally safe for swimming in settled weather; there is little natural shade on the sand. Because the nude end adjoins a popular family beach, clothed walkers do pass by, and nude bathers usually settle well toward the western end. For a more established nude beach on the island, Little Palm Beach lies a few kilometres to the west.

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.

Lonely Bay is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Maitai Bay is a sheltered horseshoe of white sand near the tip of the Karikari Peninsula in the Far North, with rocky headlands at each end that are popular for snorkelling. The Department of Conservation runs a large campsite behind the beach. FreeBeaches NZ lists the bay among places used for nude bathing, but the main beach is busy and family-oriented in summer, so nude use is best kept to the quieter rocky coves at either end. A rāhui bans fishing and gathering seafood in the area.

Mapoutahi Cove sits below the Mapoutahi headland near Purakaunui, north of Dunedin, close to Doctors Point. The headland was once a fortified Māori pā, and the sandy cove beneath it is quiet enough that nude sunbathing is common. It is reached on foot, partly along the shore, so check the tide before you set out. There are no facilities, and visitors should respect the historic site above the beach.

Moturoa / Rabbit Island is a long, narrow island across the southern end of Tasman Bay, about 7 km west of Richmond and connected to the mainland by a bridge. Its ocean side is an 8 km sweep of sand backed by pine forest, and the quieter stretches well away from the main car parks are used for informal nude sunbathing and swimming. The island is a recreation reserve that closes at night, with no overnight stays. Picnic areas and toilets are near the entrance, and the rest is open beach.

New Chums Beach is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

O'Neill Bay is a remote black-sand beach on Auckland's wild west coast, just north of Te Henga / Bethells Beach in the Waitākere Ranges. Getting there means a walk over the sandhill or along the track, sometimes with a stream crossing, and its isolation has made it a favourite with naturists. The west coast surf is dangerous with strong rips, so swimming is risky. There are no facilities.

Ocean Beach is a long stretch of golden sand on the coast of the Hastings District in Hawke's Bay, between Cape Kidnappers to the north and Waimārama to the south. The road from Hastings winds over the hills to reach it. The main access point, near the surf club, is where lifesaving patrols run in summer. Further along, the beach runs for kilometres and is quieter, with far less development than its neighbour Waimārama. Police said that an unofficial naturist area lies about 400 metres north of the surf club, which is where naturist use has been reported. Surf here can be strong, so swimmers should stay in the patrolled section. Nude use on this beach is not lawful under the local bylaw unless the council designates it, so this page is a warning rather than a guide to an accepted nude beach.

Opoutere is a long, undeveloped ocean beach on the eastern Coromandel Peninsula, between Tairua and Whangamatā. More than 5 km of white sand runs along a sandspit backed by pine forest, separating the surf from the calm Wharekawa Harbour; the spit is a wildlife refuge where endangered New Zealand dotterel and other shorebirds nest in fenced-off scrapes. With no shops, no surf patrol and the beach reached only on foot from the road, it stays quiet even in summer. Opoutere is the one Coromandel beach in Wikipedia's list of New Zealand social-nudity places, backed by a news report on its popularity with first-time nudists, and naturist guides have long said the far end of the beach, away from the access track, is used clothing-optional. That reputation is disputed: some locals and a reader comment from 2019 say the beach is now busy with families and unsuitable for nudity, so spread out well away from other beachgoers. The surf has strong rips.

Sutton, Dunedin.

Orokawa Bay is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Orpheus Bay is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Otama Beach and Reserve is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Otara Bay is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Ototoka is a remote, out-of-the-way west-coast beach about 20 km north-west of Whanganui and a little north of Kai Iwi Beach. It sits below cliffs that are known for fossil hunting: Whanganui District Council notes marine fossils over 1.5 million years old in the cliff faces. The way down from the car park passes the Ototoka stream's pool and small waterfall before reaching the sand. The beach is used for swimming and fishing and is rarely busy. Free Beaches NZ lists it as a clothes-optional spot: from the bottom of the track, walk 300-400 m north-west along the beach, around the visible point, to reach the area naturists use; some prefer to head south-east instead. There are no facilities, no shade apart from the cliffs, and no lifeguard patrol, and the open west-coast surf can be rough, so swim with care.

Pāpāmoa Beach is a long, straight surf beach running east from Mount Maunganui along the Bay of Plenty coast, in the Tauranga suburb that shares its name. The stretch beside the suburb is backed by houses and dunes and is busy with families and surfers. Naturists use a section near the junction of Maranui Street and Pāpāmoa Beach Road, and the use is informal: local news reports describe it as tolerated rather than designated. Sources I found do not mention any signage or fencing marking the naturist area, so visitors cannot be sure where it begins. Keep well clear of clothed families, and move on if someone objects. The surf can be strong and the currents are not always obvious, so check conditions before swimming. The beach is sand throughout, with dunes behind it in places.

Peka Peka Beach is a quiet stretch of the Kāpiti Coast north of Waikanae, reached from the small seaside settlement of Peka Peka just off State Highway 1. Long sand and dunes run north towards Te Horo, and the stretches away from the beach access are used for informal nude sunbathing and swimming. Guides to New Zealand's nude beaches regularly list it. There are no facilities, and vehicles sometimes drive on the sand. Kāpiti Island lies offshore, and sunsets over the Tasman Sea are a highlight.

Auckland's famous black sand beach with dramatic surf, local naturist sections, and wild untamed beauty on the west coast. One of New Zealand's most iconic beaches.

Rolleston.

Pōhutukawa Bay is a small, secluded beach on Auckland's North Shore, just north of Long Bay Regional Park and south of Piripiri Point and the Ōkura River mouth. It is cut off from the Long Bay beaches by a rocky headland, with Granny's Bay immediately to the south, and is backed by steep bush-covered slopes with pōhutukawa trees overhanging the sand. It is one of Auckland's best-known clothing-optional beaches and has been used for nude bathing for decades without any formal designation. The beach is short, with sand running to rocks at each end; the seabed shelves fairly quickly, so it is good for swimming at mid to high tide. There are no toilets, bins or other facilities, and visitors are expected to take everything out with them. The local naturist community has held events here, and nudity is accepted on the beach itself but not on the coastal walkway or bush tracks around it.

Pohutukawa Grove is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Pokohino Beach is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Rarawa Beach is a long sweep of brilliant white silica sand on the east coast of the Far North, near the settlement of Ngataki. A Department of Conservation campsite sits behind the dunes, and walking away from the access point quickly brings you to empty sand where nude sunbathing and swimming are informally accepted. The water is clear and usually calm. Facilities are limited to the campsite, so bring supplies and sun protection.

Rotorua.

Ryans Beach is a remote beach on the northern side of the Otago Peninsula, next to Victory Beach and reached by a farm-track walk. Its isolation means you may have it almost to yourself, and nude sunbathing is common. Sea lions and penguins use this coast, so give wildlife plenty of room. The water is cold with strong currents, and there are no facilities.

Sandfly Bay is a sandy bay with huge dunes on the southern side of the Otago Peninsula, about 15 km east of central Dunedin. It is a Department of Conservation wildlife reserve reached by a steep walk of around 20 minutes down and 40 minutes back up, and its remoteness makes it one of Dunedin's informal nude beaches. Sea lions haul out on the sand and yellow-eyed penguins come ashore in the late afternoon, so keep well away from wildlife and never block their path to the sea.

Smaills Beach, often spelled Smails Beach, lies on the Pacific side of the Otago Peninsula where it meets the mainland, south-east of central Dunedin. It sits within the Ocean Grove Reserve, next to Tomahawk Beach. The reserve was classed as government land in 1897 and formally established as Ocean Grove Reserve in 1931. Naturists use the beach for nude bathing, and a naturist interviewed by the Otago Daily Times has said people get the wrong idea about the beach and its users. The beach is exposed, with cold water and rips, and the Wikipedia entry notes it has no lifeguard patrol. Nude bathers should keep to quiet stretches away from the walking route, and stay out of the water alone. There are no facilities, so bring water, shade and anything you need. Birds nest on the coast, so keep away from them.

Spencer Park Beach is part of the long, straight Pegasus Bay shoreline north of Christchurch, reached through the Spencer Park reserve at Spencerville, beyond Brooklands. It is a wide, exposed surf beach backed by sand dunes, with a surf lifesaving club and a holiday park near the Heyders Road entrance. The clothes-optional area is north of the Heyders Road car park: Free Beaches NZ points to the stretch from about 200 m north of the entrance, and it has become the preferred beach for Christchurch naturists, who hold occasional organised days there with flags to alert other beachgoers. Away from the patrolled flags the beach is open, exposed and uncrowded, and the dunes give some shelter from the easterly wind. Be aware of the beach's mixed reputation: a 2026 local news report described complaints from women about lewd behaviour by men in the dunes, and police said community patrols visit routinely. Couples and groups, and keeping to the open beach rather than the dunes, are the usual advice.

St Leonards Beach is a small cove on Auckland's North Shore between Takapuna and Narrow Neck, tucked beneath high white and golden cliffs on the Devonport peninsula. The cliffs and the single steep staircase keep it secluded, and it has been Auckland's best-known skinny-dipping beach for decades. It is a narrow strip of sand and rock shelf that almost disappears at high tide, so it is really a low-tide beach; at low water you can walk along the shore to Takapuna Beach or Narrow Neck as part of the North Shore Coastal Walk. Nude use is governed by a 2003 police-brokered understanding with the council: nudity is accepted more than 50 m from the bottom of the access steps, and not within 30 m in front of clothed people walking past. Naturist use declined after complaints around 2001-2003, and today the beach also sees walkers and families, so the crowd is mixed. There are no toilets, showers, bins or food, so bring water and take rubbish out.

Tapotupotu Bay is a horseshoe of white sand near Cape Reinga at the very top of the North Island, with a Department of Conservation campsite behind the beach. Away from the camping area, quieter parts of the bay are informally used for nude sunbathing. Rips can form at the outer edges of the bay, so swim in the sheltered middle. Basic toilets serve the campsite; otherwise bring all supplies.

Tapuae Beach is a secluded grey-sand beach about 10 km south-west of central New Plymouth in Taranaki, beside the Tapuae Marine Reserve. It is reached by a walk from a distant car park along the bush-lined Tapuae Stream, which keeps it quiet apart from surfers and dog walkers. Wikipedia's list of social nudity places names it as New Plymouth's informal nude beach. This is an exposed west-coast surf beach with strong currents and no facilities, and the marine reserve rules on fishing and collecting apply.

Taylors Mistake is a sheltered surf beach in a bay east of Sumner, Christchurch, on the edge of the Port Hills. The main beach is busy with surfers and families, but quieter coves reached along the coastal track have long been used for nude sunbathing. Keep nudity to those secluded spots and be discreet near the walkway. A surf lifesaving club patrols the main beach in summer.

Tumbledown Bay is a secluded sandy bay on the south side of Banks Peninsula, reached from the Te Oka Bay road and a short walk. It is a quiet spot where nude sunbathing has long been accepted. The bay faces the open Pacific, so the water is cold and swells can be powerful. There are no facilities apart from basic parking, so bring supplies and take rubbish home.

Uretiti Beach is a long stretch of white sand on Bream Bay between Ruakākā and Waipu, south of Whangārei in Northland. It fronts the Uretiti Recreation and Scenic Reserves, and a Department of Conservation campsite sits behind the dunes. Naturists use the southern half of the beach for nude bathing, a custom rather than a designated area, and they have done so for decades. The campground itself does not allow nudity: campers found nude are asked to dress or leave. News reports have described nude men walking along the southern edge of the campground and stripping in the public day area to the north, and the campground manager has raised concerns about nude men watching children on the beach. Those reports are undated in the sources I saw, so the current situation may differ. The beach is popular for swimming, surfing and fishing, so keep to the southern section and stay discreet near families.

Victory Beach is the longest beach on the Otago Peninsula, stretching for 3.2 km north-east from the entrance to Papanui Inlet, about 24 km by road from central Dunedin and 7 km from Portobello. It is reached on foot from the Papanui Inlet side or along the shore from Allans Beach, and its length and remoteness make it one of Dunedin's informal nude beaches. The wreck of the SS Victory lies in the surf. Penguins and sea lions use the beach, so give wildlife plenty of space.

Waihi Beach is a long surf beach at the north-western end of the Bay of Plenty, with a holiday town along much of its length. FreeBeaches NZ lists it among nude bathing spots, but nude use is informal and best kept to quiet stretches well away from the township, houses and the patrolled swimming areas. To the north, a coastal track through the Orokawa Scenic Reserve leads to secluded Orokawa Bay. Check tides, as the track entrance can be cut off at high water, and be discreet near houses.

Waikawau Beach is a nudist-friendly beach in New Zealand. Nudity is optional.

Waikuku Beach is a long stretch of sand on Pegasus Bay north of Christchurch, with a small settlement and a patrolled swimming area near the main access. Walking a little way along the beach, away from the settlement, leads to empty dunes where nude sunbathing is informally accepted. The surf can be strong and rips form along this coast, so swim only where it is safe. Toilets and a holiday park are near the main entrance.

Waitata Bay, also known as Donkey Bay, is a small sheltered bay near Russell in the Bay of Islands. It has traditionally been popular with naturists, and nudity is tolerated though not officially designated, so expect a mix of clothed and nude visitors. The bay is set in a nature reserve and reached on foot. The water is usually calm and good for swimming. Bring water and shade, as there are no facilities.

Warrington Beach is a long sandy beach at the small settlement of Warrington, about 20 km north of Dunedin off SH1 near Waitati. FreeBeaches NZ points nude bathers to the stretch south of the Warrington Surf Life Saving Club, which it describes as naturist-friendly, towards Doctors Point Beach next door. The beach is backed by dunes and pine forest and is popular with families near the settlement, so walk south before undressing. Check tides if you continue around to Doctors Point.

Te Mārua, Upper Hutt.

Whareakeake, also known as Murdering Beach, is a small sandy cove north of Dunedin, reached down a gravel road and a short walk through farmland next to Kaikai Beach. It was the site of a historic Māori settlement, and today its secluded sand is used informally for nude sunbathing. The surf can be rough and the water is cold. There are no facilities, so come prepared.

Willsher Bay, also called Te Karoro, is the sandy village beach beside Kākā Point, a small holiday settlement at the northern edge of the Catlins in South Otago. Cribs stand close to the sand, so the beach is a settled place rather than a remote one. Nude use here came to public notice through a neighbours' dispute: a local resident's nude walking, swimming and sunbathing on the public beach next to his property was challenged, and a court in 2022 found those activities lawful. Walks along the beach pass Karoro Creek, where families picnic, and head north towards the surf life saving club about 1.7 km away. Reports from the case also quote a judge describing the beach as deserted, which a neighbour disputed. The southern coast is exposed, so swimming needs care and the surf can be lively. Visitors who want a discreet walk should use the far ends of the sand and keep to quieter times of the day.

Woodend Beach lies east of the town of Woodend on Pegasus Bay, reached through the pine forest of the Tūhaitara coastal park. The beach is long and wide, and walking away from the main entrance gives plenty of space for informal nude sunbathing among the dunes. There are toilets and parking at the forest access, but no other facilities on the sand. Watch for rips when swimming.