Description
Opito Bay is a stunning beach located in the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand.
It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and it is easy to see why. The water at Opito Bay is a beautiful blue, and it is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The beach is shaded by mature pohutukawa trees, and the shallow clear water invites you to take a swim. The sand is soft and white, and the beach is long enough to satisfy even the most determined dog walker in the early morning and late afternoon.
To get to Opito Bay, you need to follow Black Jack Rd through Otama Beach, which is a stopover all of its own, continuing along the gravel road for another 20 minutes. The total journey will take you about 3 hours, so make sure to bring plenty of water so you can stay hydrated and of course some snacks. Opito Bay is remote and not busy, making it a perfect place for a peaceful getaway. The beach is long, and there are 196 steps on the southeast end that zigzag up to a pa site with pits and terraces. Take care walking through the long grass due to the uneven terrain. There is also an interesting rocky west end worth exploring at low tide. Park at Skippers Rd Reserve, or continue on Opito Bay Rd for 2 km to the reserve on Moore Cres (toilet available).
One of the highlights of Opito Bay is Crayfish Bay, which is accessible via a short side track that crosses private farmland. Crayfish Bay is known for its clear blue waters and exciting rock jumps. It is an ideal spot for a beach trip on a hot summer's day. There is also a 10-min track to visit Crayfish Bay via farmland (no dogs) about 150m from the southeast end and an interesting rocky west end worth exploring at low tide. At the northern end of the beach, you can see Skippers Ridge – along with nearby Sarah’s Gully – both sites of archaeological excavations in the late 1950s, which first found evidence of early Polynesian. In summary, Opito Bay is a beautiful and peaceful beach in New Zealand that is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
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