From Cape Reinga to the Otago Peninsula, here are 70 spots where Kiwis have long enjoyed the sun and sea without togs. Pick a region, search by name, and tap "Getting there" for directions where we have them.
Is it legal?
"New Zealand does not have laws specifically outlining which beaches are 'Official Nude Beaches', which essentially means that any beach in New Zealand could be a nude beach." Free Beaches NZ
"Simply being naked is not, of itself, an offence." Hauraki Naturally, The Law
What matters is behaviour: be discreet and considerate, and nobody has reason to complain. More on the law →
Before you go
- Move a respectful distance from clothed beachgoers, and cover up on the track and near car parks.
- No photos of other people without their permission.
- Naturism is non-sexual. Report any lewd behaviour to police.
- Check the tides, slip-slop-slap, and take all your rubbish home.
- Respect wildlife, especially penguins and nesting birds.
70 places
Northland 10
Tapotupotu Bay
New Zealand's most northerly popular nude beach. The nude area is about halfway round the bay beside the road; skinny-dippers head left, over the creek and past the rock formation.
⚠️ Remote: over 100 km from Kaitaia, so bring everything you need.
Henderson Bay
Long east-coast beach about halfway up the peninsula towards Cape Reinga, a few kilometres north of the Houhora motor camp.
Maitai Bay
A DOC-managed bay that feels rather more isolated than Tapotupotu.
Whale Bay
A lovely small bay with other quiet spots nearby.
⚠️ Often busy with clothed visitors in the holidays. If anyone clothed is within about 20 m, move along.
Waitata Bay (Donkey Bay)
Just around the corner from Russell and the most popular spot in the Bay of Islands.
Long Beach
About 3 km from Russell. Houses line the road, but there's a pleasant spot at the far end past the camping area. A quieter alternative to Donkey Bay.
Mimiwhangata (Oke Bay)
A peaceful DOC reserve. Oke Bay is sheltered from southerly winds.
Ocean Beach
The nude area starts just over the creek past the rocks. The far end can be reached by car, followed by a walk of 500 m or so north.
Kauri Mountain Beach
The north end of Ocean Beach, with the option of a long walk (about 10 km) to the other end.
⚠️ The creek mouth can be dicey when the tide is in.
Uretiti Beach
Described by Free Beaches NZ as "one of the three top beaches in the country". A long, open DOC-managed beach with a long naturist history.
Auckland 17
Omaha Beach
A little cove at the far end of the beach.
⚠️ Information is dated; check current use before you go.
Tawharanui
Beaches on the road towards Takatu Point.
Pohutukawa Bay
A sheltered bay reached by the marked cliff walk from Long Bay. One of Auckland's best-known naturist beaches; use grew steadily through the 1990s.
St Leonards Bay
Recognised by the Council as used by naturists (and dog walkers). Virtually no waves, so good for swimming. Walk to the end of St Leonards Road, down the path and steps, then around the rocks either way.
Getting there
From Lake Road, Takapuna, turn into St Leonards Road (Takapuna Grammar is on the corner). Parking is limited to 2 hours and patrolled. Buses stop at Lake Rd / St Leonards Rd. No facilities: take everything home with you.
⚠️ No access at high tide. Go right (south) about 1 hour after high tide, or left (north) about 2 hours after, and don't get stranded on an incoming tide. The beach has had a reputation for lewd behaviour.
Ladies Bay
A sheltered bay below a council viewing platform.
⚠️ Has suffered from bad behaviour in the past. Report anything inappropriate to police.
Herne Bay
A small inner-city beach that usually has a few people on it.
⚠️ Best when the tide is in.
Little Palm Beach
Probably the most popular spot for locals and visitors alike, with relaxed, friendly locals.
Mellons Bay
The naturist spot is a good walk to the right of the main beach and car park.
⚠️ Use has slowly declined since a sheltering pōhutukawa log was removed.
Tawhitokino Beach
A secluded east-coast beach about 15–20 km beyond Clevedon, with Waitawa nearby.
Muriwai North
The wild northern stretch of Muriwai.
⚠️ Can be a bit bleak at times.
Bethells & O'Neills Beaches
From the car park behind Bethells, skinny-dippers head south along Bethells or north over the saddle to O'Neills.
Whites Beach
Reached by the track over the northern point of Piha, starting near the last car park at North Piha. Former mayor Bob Harvey welcomed clothes-optional use of Piha.
Karekare
Walking tracks behind the west-coast beaches lead to quiet spots, some past lakes and streams.
Orpheus Bay
Reached via the Con Bryant Track, which starts halfway along the short road to the lookout.
⚠️ Bits of the cliff often fall off at the far end, so keep clear.
Kariotahi Beach
A long west-coast black-sand beach at the entrance to the Manukau Harbour.
Hamiltons Gap
A long iron-sand beach on the west coast. You can drive on the sand.
Āwhitu Regional Park
A reserve on the sheltered side of the peninsula, opposite Hamiltons Gap. Normally pretty quiet.
Coromandel, Hauraki & Waihi 13
Rays Rest
A shelly beach next to a freedom camping area, with a significant wetland further south.
⚠️ Best at high tide.
Waikawau Bay
"A long way from anywhere, but it is worth the effort." Two kilometres of beach you can walk naked, a pā site at the northern end, and the Matamataharakeke Track across the road, which you can also walk naked.
Getting there
3 km north of Colville take narrow, winding Port Charles Road for 6 km, then Waikawau Beach Road for 6 km past the DOC campsite to the car park. Cross the lagoon. DOC campground, toilets at the car park, no drinking water, no cellphone coverage.
⚠️ Take care crossing the river at the northern end.
New Chums Beach
Regularly rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Most naturists move just a little way down the beach.
Getting there
From Te Rerenga take Whangapoua Road about 5 km, then Tangiora Ave to its northern end and the sandy track to the car park. Walk out along the sandspit, cross the river, then follow a rough track over the headland and through a nīkau grove. No facilities and no cellphone coverage.
⚠️ The track can be slippery after rain; cross the river with care.
Otama Beach
Each end of the beach can be busy, but the middle is usually deserted. Most naturists use the area about 450 m along to the left.
Getting there
At Kuaotunu turn onto narrow Black Jack Road. After 3 km you reach the beach; drive about 1.5 km along it to the free car park, take the track down and cross the river. No facilities or cellphone coverage; the Kuaotunu café is nearby.
Lonely Bay
A beautiful, sheltered bay below Shakespeare Cliff. "Anytime is good."
Getting there
Take the ferry from Whitianga and walk via Flaxmill Bay and Shakespeare Cliff, or drive via Hot Water Beach Road and Purangi Road to 1769 Purangi Road; the car park is 500 m up the narrow drive, then a walkway leads down. No facilities; there's a café 100 m back towards Whitianga.
Hot Water Beach
From the south access, about 1 km along there's hot water under the sand off a rocky point, and a possible warm stream at the north access.
⚠️ Internationally famous and often crowded, and digging is limited to an hour or two around low tide. Quieter options are listed nearby.
Pohutukawa Grove (Te Karo Bay)
One of the most accessible beaches here. Most naturists turn right and walk between the two big rocks to the southern, 90 m stretch of Te Karo Bay.
Getting there
4.3 km north of the Tairua shops on SH25, turn into Sailors Grave Road and drive about 1.5 km to the DOC sign and car park. No facilities.
⚠️ Can be busy in peak season.
Otara Bay
Swimmable at all tides and generally good for body surfing. Most nudists move just away from the track; at busy times they head left to the far end.
Getting there
Take Sailors Grave Road (4.3 km north of Tairua) to the end and park around the circle. Walk over the bridge, past the grave and over the track. No facilities.
Pokohino Beach
A small, flat beach that's safe for swimming. Most naturists turn left and walk to the end. Deserted outside peak season.
Getting there
Turn off SH25 onto Whitipirorua Road towards Onemana, then left into Normans Access Road at the top of the hill. About 4 km along, park on the right at the walkway sign. No facilities.
⚠️ Normans Access Road is a forestry road; watch for logging trucks. The beach is small, so it can be hard to get much distance from others in summer.
Opoutere Beach
"A beach where nudity is generally acceptable." Four kilometres of sand to walk, swim, surfcast or throw a frisbee. Clothed visitors tend to use the southern kilometre, so head north.
Getting there
Turn off SH25 onto Opoutere Road, through the settlement along the estuary (it becomes Ohui Road), then sharp right on the metal track to the DOC car park. Walk over the bridge and through the pines. Toilets at the road intersection; the campground next door has the only store.
⚠️ Known for biting insects at certain times; bring repellent.
Waimama Bay
Popular in peak season but often deserted at other times. Turn left at the beach and walk 50 m to the naturist area.
Getting there
Park at Fishermans Bend at the northern end of Whiritoa. Cross the lagoon (shallower near the shore) and take the marked track over the hill from under the pōhutukawa. No facilities; the Whiritoa store has drinks and ice creams.
Orokawa Bay
Outside the peak season you can probably walk naked all the way without meeting anyone. Most naturists turn right and walk 200 m.
Getting there
Park in front of the surf club at the north end of Waihi Beach and walk around the rocks about 200 m to the track. Steep at first, then flatter. No facilities.
⚠️ The beach is steep and the breakers can dump you; be careful in the surf.
Bowentown (Waihi Beach south)
"Never crowded but almost never deserted," and nude bathers seem well tolerated by clothed beach walkers. Busier between Christmas and New Year. Best used discreetly.
Getting there
Follow Seaforth Road towards Bowentown. Most naturists use Beach Access 34, the third car park on the left after the houses end. No facilities or shade; the nearest shop is at the roundabout.
⚠️ Bring shade, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Waikato 1
Ngarunui Beach
West-coast surf beach. Walk down the hill from above, or park near the surf club and walk about 200 m north.
Gisborne & Hawke's Bay 3
Kaiaua Beach
Usually deserted. Drive to the far end of the road and walk across the creek at the farmer's gate.
Ocean Beach
The main nude area is about 400 m north of the surf lifesaving club, at the end of the road from the lookout. Holiday crowds and 4WDs are "no problem!"
Waimarama Beach
Near the trees by the domain. More popular with clothed visitors than Ocean Beach.
Taranaki, Whanganui & Manawatū 4
Back Beach
Below Centennial Drive, south of the power-station chimney. Proposed as an official council "free beach" in the 1970s.
Tapuae Beach
Reached via a farmer's track.
⚠️ Lifestyle development now sits between the beach and the road.
Ototoka Beach
Follow the fenced gravel track through a farmer's paddock. The nude area is 300–400 m north-west around the point.
Himatangi Beach
Drive about 10 km north along the sand from Foxton. Plenty of driftwood to build your own shelter.
Wellington & Kāpiti 2
Breaker Bay
A pebbly bay used from the "hole in the rock" out to the point. At the height of summer "clothes aren't needed until well after 8 pm". Local members meet here on the first Sunday of the month in summer.
Getting there
Car park at the south end of the Pass of Branda, Seatoun; buses run to the Miramar Peninsula.
Peka Peka Beach (north end)
Nude use here is well known and a sign acknowledges it. Use has moved about 1 km north since the late 1980s. Local members meet on the second Sunday of the month in summer.
Getting there
Park at the end of Te Hapua Road and walk north.
Nelson, Marlborough & Golden Bay 3
Rabbit Island (Moturoa)
The nearest beach to Nelson. Walk east from the car park near the middle of the island.
⚠️ Nude use is now restricted to February and March, on the beach only.
Milnthorpe Beach
Past the Mussel Inn. Golden Bay has several places for a skinny-dip.
Ward Beach
A little off SH1 and a short walk; handy on the way to Christchurch.
West Coast 2
Carters Beach
Head south from the "Beachside" development.
Barrytown Beach
Alongside SH6, but the view from the road isn't too close or a problem.
Canterbury 5
Spencerville (North Beach)
The main spot for Canterbury naturists. The recognised area is 200 m north of the Heyders Road entrance, and it's closer to town and easier to reach than Waikuku.
⚠️ Occasional bad behaviour; report it to police.
Woodend Beach
From the end of Ferry Road, head south along the beach.
Waikuku Beach
Once the favourite spot for Canterbury members, who have since mostly moved to Spencerville.
Hobson Bay
Just around the corner from Taylors Mistake, which is often busy with clothed visitors. Loses the afternoon sun a little earlier.
Tumbledown Bay
Quiet, and quite a long way from Christchurch. Canterbury Free Beach runs occasional trips here.
Otago 5
Smaills Beach
The nearest beach to the city for discreet nude bathing.
Sandfly Bay
A dramatic, dune-backed beach.
⚠️ Protected yellow-eyed penguin habitat. Never approach the penguins or block their path.
Allans Beach
A 300 m track from the car park. Victory Beach is about 3 km further north.
⚠️ The spot just north is completely wet at high tide.
Murdering Beach
Possibly the most popular Dunedin beach after Smaills.
Doctors Point
About 3 km off SH1. Warrington Beach, south of the naturist-friendly surf club, is also used, and Mapoutahi Cove is a walk away.
⚠️ Reaching Mapoutahi Cove is a longer walk when the tide is in.
Rivers, lakes & hot pools 5
Waiotapu hot stream
Natural hot pools where a hot stream meets a cold one, plus a waterfall nearby reached through a small "hole in the bush".
⚠️ No temperature control. Stay well away from boiling mud.
Mangaone Valley
River spots in a DOC reserve, downstream from the car park.
Leithfield Lagoon
The top end of the lagoon, about 3 km south of Leithfield.
Lake Kaniere
Small rocky beaches along a track that starts halfway round the lake, opposite Dorothy Falls.
Lake Wānaka (west)
Lakeside spots a short walk from Homestead Bay.
⚠️ Depends on the lake level.
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Know a spot we've missed?
Beaches come and go, and local knowledge is gold. If you know a place that should be here, or something on this list has changed, let us know.
Suggest a placeCompiled from the beach listings of Free Beaches NZ and Hauraki Naturally, who have far more detail, photos and maps. Conditions change, so please check access, tides and local signage before you go.