Karekare Beach

Absolutely stunning beach! The Karekare waterfall is just 5 min walk from the car park. The road going down towards the beach is quite winding and it is best to drive slowly since you can't see the vehicles coming towards you from the bends.

Amazing place only 5 mn walk for the car park. You feel the beauty of NZ, the strength of the sea and its waves, the darkness of sand that reflect the greenness of the vegetation … And do not hesitate to take a walk to the waterfall that is another 5 mn from the car park. Beautiful.

Words, nor the endless amounts of pictures and videos, can describe New Zealand's beauty that's seen everywhere. You have to see the nature with your own eyes, hear the endless calls from the multitude of birds that call these islands home with your own ears, and smell the fresh, crisp air with your own nose, in order to truly and completely enjoy everything New Zealand has to offer.

One of my favourite beach to photograph a weddings, engagement or couples’ portrait. The beach is free to the public. There is a public toilet and enough car park space. You can walk to the Kare Kare falls and there are sa dunes and sunset are amazing! One of the best sunset you will ever see. You need to walk few minutes from the car park to the beach and water falls. Dogs under control on lead are allowed. There is a a separate track for off leash dog-walkers. starts on the other side of the wooden bridge. How ever since there is no shade ins or trees close to the Beach is better to walk your dog late in the after noon or closer to the sunset.

Very nice beach. Lots of amazing walks and views. Only downside is lack of parking and tight road

Karekare Beach is an absolute must-see destination for anyone visiting New Zealand. This stunning beach is located on the rugged west coast of Auckland and is truly a place of beauty. With its rich Maori history and iconic rugged beauty, Karekare has been the backdrop for Hollywood movies and is considered one of the best beaches in the world. One of the most unique aspects of Karekare is its river that leads to the sea from a spring-fed waterfall, surrounded by subtropical rainforest. This adds to the beauty of the beach and offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural surroundings. The beach is also known for its great surfing, with some of the best waves in the country. Karekare beach is also a great spot for swimming, but it's important to stay between the flags and be aware of the conditions. The beach is unspoiled and beautiful, and it's a unique playground for visitors to enjoy. The rugged beauty of Karekare is an iconic trademark and it's definitely worth a visit. In conclusion, Karekare Beach is a must-see destination for anyone visiting New Zealand. Its unique combination of beauty, history, and natural surroundings make it a truly special place. Whether you're looking to surf, swim, or just take in the scenery, Karekare is an unspoiled beauty that you won't want to miss.

Strong waves, long walk from carpark

Dog friendly beach GreAt place to walk your dogs or just run by yourself. Also, there is a small “river” where if you have kids they can play. In terms of swimming they’re some safety guards so if you swim ‍ between flags you will be safe.

This huge, wide, and beautiful black sand beach is famous because it has been the filming site for many movies and TV shows. It is most famous as the beach where a scene was filmed for the Oscar winning movie, The Piano, where the piano was left behind. It is popular and can get busy on weekends or holidays. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the amazing scenery and mountains that surround it. It is somewhat isolated, with only a few homes nearby in the small town of Karekare. Even on weekends, the beach is so large, you will have plenty of space to spread out and relax with very few people around you. The beach access trail is along the road, just past the parking lot. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the beach area, then count on walking another 10 minutes to get near the water. The black sand can get really hot in the sunshine!!! So, be sure to wear beach shoes or sandals, and take a large towel or beach blanket to sit on the sand. Take some water, drinks, and snacks. There are no restaurants or stores in Karekare. The closest ones are 10-15 minutes away in Piha. The waves at this beach are pretty rough at times, and it’s probably not considered a great swimming place because of that. Also, there are no lifeguards at this beach. Another nearby feature that you will want to check out is Karekare Falls, about a 10 minute easy walk from the parking lot. Some pointers for you- 1. The road is very narrow and windy down to Karekare and can get pretty busy on the weekends. It’s pretty hard to drive this road in a large truck or camper van! 2. The parking lot is small and can fill up quickly on holidays or weekends, as it is also the main parking lot for some walking trails and for Karekare Falls 3. There is a public restroom at the parking area 4. Fill up your car with gas before driving out. There are no gas stations in the Karekare/Piha area 5. There are no restaurants or stores in Karekare, but there are several in Piha 6. No lifeguards, so be careful swimming and the waves can be rough 7. Wear beach shoes or sandals as the black sand can get really hot

Absolutely amazing place. Wasn’t sure what to expect. We parked at the main car park and walked to the waterfall first. Then took the track near the bridge down to the beach. The trek is long but picturesque, with an amazing canyon where you can hear birds calling to each other. The beach itself is an amazing place - long stretches of black sand, as far as the eye can see. Almost like you’re on the moon