The search for the motu’s favourite beaches of 2025 has come to an end, with five brand-new champions rising through the ranks to claim the coveted titles. Video / Carson Bluck
The winners of the Herald Travel‘s annual Best Beach competition have been revealed - and the results may come as a surprise. Bay of Plenty hotspot Ōhope has been pipped to the post, despite securing a gold and silver in 2024. Instead, a new champion has risen through the ranks to take not one, but two categories - so which beach is New Zealand’s new favourite?
The Herald’s annual search for Aotearoa’s Best Beaches is over for another year, concluding a month of hotly contested voting from thousands of beach bums across the motu.
While a few old favourites made the podium, a new champion ultimately prevailed – securing an impressive two titles after not placing in a single category last year. So who is our ultimate winner? Drum roll, please ...
Waipu Cove was the ultimate winner of Best Beaches 2025. Photo / Tourism New Zealand
The Northland oasis won Best Family Beach – eclipsing three-time winner Ōhope, which was relegated to second place – and Best Camping Beach, despite not making the top three in either category last year. Waipu Cove was also crowned the country’s second most popular Surf Beach, placing just behind surfing stalwart Raglan.
In fact, all of last year’s winners have ultimately been dethroned, making way for a raft of new champions. Old favourite Ōhope still had a respectable run, placing second in both Best Family Beach and Best Camping Beach, while Kaiteriteri – the Tasman enclave poised to be a hot contender this year – scraped two bronze medals in the same categories. Auckland’s Ōrewa also failed to win, despite scoring the most top 50 placements. The former Best City Beach winner was ultimately overtaken by summertime darling Mount Maunganui, another dark horse that was absent from our top threes in 2024.
Meanwhile, Best Hidden Gem was taken out by an entirely new cohort – and one region. Despite its reputation for clandestine, untouched coastlines, the Coromandel failed to place on the podium in 2025, with the holy trinity – Whale Bay, Langs Cove and Maitai Bay respectively – all hailing from Northland.
Despite not placing on a single podium last year, this dark horse has risen through the ranks and become the new Best Beach victor. The small town, located in Bream Bay in the Whangārei District, is known for its strong Scottish heritage and the secluded but safe Waipu Cove. A perfect destination for a day of family fun, the beach boasts a safe reputation (it’s patrolled by Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving over the summer) and space for plenty of activities, from surfing to picnicking. There’s a beachside café to keep the dreaded “hanger” at bay, plus plenty of walks to enjoy.
A Summer day at Waipu Cove. Photo / NZME
Second place: Ōhope, Bay of Plenty
Perhaps the most shocking result of 2025, fan-favourite Ōhope was almost a guaranteed frontrunner in the category, having scooped the title in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Despite losing out to Waipu, it has still managed a respectable silver medal, which can likely be attributed to its reputation for safety. The 11km stretch of shimmering white sand provides plenty of space for families, sunbathers and fitness enthusiasts alike, while the water is hailed as a solid surf spot.
Third place: Kaiteriteri, Tasman
Also falling down the ranks is Kaiteriteri, which took second place in 2024. Known for its long crescent of golden sand, turquoise water and safe swimming, this gateway to Abel Tasman National Park has become a popular spot for camping and family fun.
Bronze medallist Kaiteriteri Beach from above. Photo / Nelson-Tasman
Best Surf Beach
WINNER: Raglan, Waikato
This surfing meccawas surprisingly shunned in 2024, with nearby Manu Bay scoring second place. Now it is Raglan’s time to shine. This laidback coastal township is built on surfing culture, earning its reputation as one of Aotearoa’s most preeminent surf destinations. According to online sources (who are far more qualified to speak on surfing than us), Raglan can be enjoyed by both beginners and aquatic superheroes alike: neighbouring Ngarunui Beach is said to be more entry-level, while advanced surfers can hit the swells at Manu Bay.
From bustling surf town to creative haven, Raglan has won Best Surf Beach for 2025. Photo / 123rf
Second place: Waipu Cove, Northland
Guess who’s back, back again? Hailed as a good pick for all levels of ability, the local surf school hosts summertime lessons for kids and adults, as well as private tutoring. Regarded as one of the region’s top surf spots, Waipu is also known to be a popular pick for body surfing and boogie-boarding.
Third place: Whangamatā, Coromandel
It was crowned Best Surf Beach of 2024, but third place is still a respectable standing for this holiday hotspot. With Whangamatā Surf Lifesaving Club present throughout the summer, this beach is seen as a safe spot to ride the swells. Hailed online as a good beach break with several peaks, Whangamatā produces both left- and right-handers that are suitable for all experience levels.
Best City Beach
WINNER: Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty
Eclipsing Ōrewa is the famed Main Beach at Mount Maunganui, a sugary-soft slice of sand bordered by ample food vendors, boutique shops and the towering Mauao (the eponymous “Mount” that plays host to many an Instagram snap). While swimming and surfing are an obvious pastime, don’t miss venturing to Moturiki (Leisure Island): connected to Main Beach via a land bridge; it’s privy to some of the best views of the maunga. A winning city beach should have all the luxuries of a bustling township within a stone’s throw of the sand – a criteria Mount Maunganui has in spades, and the hustle of Tauranga is all of 5km away.
Steps down to Main Beach in Mount Maunganui. Photo / Getty Images
Second place: Ōrewa, Auckland
Bumped from the top spot into second place is last year’s winner, Ōrewa. Blessing the good folk of Auckland with 3km of golden bliss, this city beach is also bordered by a wealth of cafes, restaurants and indoor, air-conditioned activities. Don’t skip the Estuary Arts Centre on your way home, beside the beautiful Te Ara Tahuna Walkway: it showcases various exhibitions alongside a gift shop.
Third place: Tāhunanui, Nelson
Maintaining its bronze standing for a second year running, Tāhunanui is a jewel of the Nelson coastline and the closest beach to Nelson City. With a giant playground just beyond the rolling dunes, there’s a wide range of entertainment for all ages. It’s also one of only three South Island spots to make the top 50, alongside Sumner (a top 10 Best City Beach nominee) and Kaiteriteri.
Mount Maunganui is 2025's Best City Beach. Photo / Mead Norton
Best Camping Beach
WINNER: Waipu Cove, Northland
No, seriously, this is the last mention. Knocking last year’s winner Kaiteriteri into third place, Waipu and its myriad camping options took out the top spot with a landslide 1279 votes. A go-to camping getaway for many Kiwi families, the beach boasts powered and unpowered campsites and a range of cabins. When civilisation calls, the historic village is perfect for ambling around, but for those wanting to embrace the al fresco lifestyle, there are also caves and native forest to explore.
Maintaining its silver medal, runner-up Ōhope boasts an award-winning beachside holiday park and popular campground, equipped with communal kitchen blocks, laundry, a dining room, filleting station, games room and lounge.
Third place: Kaiteriteri, Tasman
Last year’s winner, Kaiteriteri, has a solid reputation as a camping destination with its recreation reserve and motor camp. Thirteen kilometres from Motueka and a gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, Kaiteriteri is touted as an ideal stop for an off-the-grid getaway.
Ōhope Beach didn't secure a gold medal this year. Photo / Western Bay of Plenty Tourism and Visitors Trust
Best Hidden Gem Beach
WINNER: Whale Bay, Northland
Hello, new champion! With last year’s trio notably absent from the top 10, Whale Bay had somewhat of a clear path forward to take the crown. Also known as Matapōuri, this white-sand oasis on the picturesque Tutukākā Coast is a burgeoning destination with plenty of native bush to explore. Pūriri, pōhutukawa and kōwhai can be seen on the linked headland trails, which also offer picture-perfect vistas of the coastline. One of Northland’s most sparkling crown jewels, Whale Bay is a worthy winner and pristine slice of paradise.
Whale Bay, Northland: An idyllic white sand beach fringed by native ferns and pōhutukawa.
Second place: Langs, Northland
Another of Northland’s untouched gems is Langs Cove, an idyllic stretch of golden sand with clear turquoise water. While Langs is slowly becoming a more popular summertime spot, it remains relatively quiet compared to more well-known destinations. Great for swimming, sunbathing and boating endeavours, the cove is the centrepiece of a small bach-laden community.
Third place: Maitai Bay, Northland
Rounding out the Northland trifecta is Maitai Bay. Well-known among camping enthusiasts, this picturesque piece of sparkling white sand and Department of Conservation-protected land is located on the Karikari Peninsula.
Maitai Bay on the Karikari Peninsula in Northland. Photo / David Kirkland
And that’s a wrap for another year.
Make sure you’re soaking up the last few weeks of summer and supporting our local beachside communities: the motu is your oyster.
