Hawkes Bay Beaches

Cape Coast Beaches

‘Cape Coast’ runs from Clifton, Te Awanga, Haumoana to Cape Kidnappers. These are black sand beaches.

Horses can access the beach via designated vehicle access points and boat ramps on the Cape Coast. Please pick up all manure, or make sure it is disposed on under trees or plantings - do not leave where people walk or park.

Roadside or other parking, and access to Cape Coast beaches at:

• Le Quesne Rd, near Thurley Rd and at the northern end both have roadside parking and accessways

• Eskdale - North Shore Rd runs beside the beach and has plenty of berm parking

• Whirinaki Beach, plenty of parking along Whirinaki Rd, please use accessways

• Tangoio Beach, accessed via Beach Rd, Tangoio

• Waipatiki beach, a small white sand beach, accessed from Waipatiki Rd

• Whakamahi Beach - do not swim your horses here!!! Dangerous undertow. This is a pebble beach with large surf. Parking for beach riding at Whakamahi Rd, past the lagoon. Be aware of ecological areas, do not ride around the lagoon, except using the road.

• Mahanga Beach, Wairoa - white sand beach, public toilets and parking at Judges parade

• Nuhaka, Access via Blucks Pit Rd, then ride over the dunes. This beach is not suitable for swimming. Black sand heats up to extreme temperatures in summer.

• Mahia Beach - Opoutama Beach - a big crescent beach with parking at either end, or along the road side.

Waipatiki Domain and Beach

Horse riding is permitted on Waipatiki beach, and in the domain but not in the bush reserve. There is parking in the carpark, however this is quite a small beach and may be busy.