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Karekare Beach

Karekare Beach

Karekare Beach
4.5
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Top ways to experience Karekare Beach and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles150 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
40
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Mike Rennie
104 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021
We stayed a short drive from here and preferred this beach a lot more than Piha. A more chilled vibe and not so intense. The waterfall is a 2mib walk from the car park and there’s more walks to the south right by car park also. Very handy spot. Found a few of the locals quite stand off’ish but otherwise cool place.
Written 3 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kris M
Zagreb, Croatia71 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Family
We had a pleasant time on Karekare beach. We followed a path up to a beautiful view above Karekare. The beach is beautiful, sandy, people playing sports, enjoying the sea.
If you’re around or would like to enjoy some silence, this is a short walk for you.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

msnakim
Singapore2,690 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Family
Beautiful beach - if you can find it,

Google maps brought us to a carpark, and we walked 10-15min along a well defined path to find that it leads to NOTHING! Apparently this path is used to access some kind of club house, but not the beach. You can see it, but the stream blocks off access. I saw some people kick off their shoes and waded through the stream. But we were not prepared to get wet...so we decided to visit Karekare Falls instead.

Guess what! We found the correct beach access while walking towards the falls. It's marked as Zion Hill Track on google maps. The track is like some kind of bush walk, mostly flat. Do remind your kids not to touch bait or carcasses as there was a warning of poison being used.

Once we got to the beach, it was such a delight! Totally worth the windy roads and the confusion trying to find the beach access.
Written 25 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nichole H
319 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
As a huge fan of the movie The Piano, this was one place I HAD to visit. The minute I stepped onto the beach I was in awe of its beauty. The black sand, the water, the surrounding scenery... I've never seen anything like it. The whole experience for me was emotional and magical. LOVED IT!!!
Written 24 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

blairsensei
Auckland, New Zealand39 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
I've been visiting Karekare for 50 years since first being invited to stay with a childhood friend at his family's holiday home. (Kiwis call them "batches" - at least in the North Island.)
Nothing much has changed in that time except the ever-changing contours of the beach and the stream that crosses it. Also, the road got improved a long time ago too making it very accessible but it is down a windy side road so lots more people go to Piha beach leaving Karekare alone in its wilderness. It is as wild and beautiful as ever but there are plenty of amzing tracks with scenery to die for (soaring cliffs, waterfalls, giant sand dunes, blow holes) and a surf beach which is well patrolled in Summer. The name means big waves. The only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is that you need to take your own supplies. There is no store, but maybe that is a reason to give it 5 stars!
Written 26 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BruceHopkins
Auckland, New Zealand11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2013 • Family
As an person who has been in the screen production industry in NZ for over 20yrs, including playing the role of Gamling in the 2nd and 3rd Lord Of The Rings films, I am always blown away at how many people from around the world are aware of the NZ film The Piano. Whenever I am tour guiding and take people to Karekare Beach, it is standard to ask " have you heard of a film called The Piano", I have not had any group that has not, and they are usually fans of the film. Not only did it make Anna Paquin into an 11yr old Oscar winner, it also took the career of Holly Hunter to the next level.
To say that a beach is a star in a movie may sound strange, but when you walk the sound end track to emerge from among the cliffs and sand dunes onto the beach at Karekare, you can totally understand why this place is so recognised from the film. Everyone I take there becomes transfixed once they hit the beach. I become transfixed as well, no matter how many times I do it. This is so well worth the winding road and the trek along a hot sandy trail.
Written 27 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Meander&Co
78 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
Stunning beach with pristine waters and surprisingly hot black sand. The cliffs surrounding it are extraordinary. Could have spent all day here but ran out of suncream!
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William B
Minneapolis, MN10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
Drive down narrow and curvy road is a little harrowing but worthwhile as it reminds you of how isolated this beach is. You cannot reach beach if you take path to right of parking lot unless you cross water. But path to left take you through a quiet valley which opens to the beach. Feels mysterious when it is cloudy and foggy. Surf is loud and rough which adds to the appeal. Be alert that waves can get over the crest and water will flow down other side where you enter the beach. Like no other beach I have encountered before.
Written 9 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scifchic
Raleigh, NC219 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Solo
Wow, this was one of the most beautiful beaches I've been to. It is well worth the crazy drive down the super winding, sometime single lane road. Take your time!

I took the walk through the Glenn to get to the beach, so pretty. The trail come out between a sand dunes and the mountain. One is greeted by the sounds of the ocean echoing off the mountain...lovely. I was there from 9-11 - no one else was there, it was amazing. The ocean is wild and a gorgeous blue and the sand was black and sparkled. Really recommend making the effort to see this gorgeous location.
Written 9 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul Scants
Auckland, New Zealand20 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Family
The beach is surrounded by some stunning rock formations and the walk to the beach is lovely. The walk down to the beach and back splashing in the stream with the kids makes up for the limited swimming in the rough sea. On a hot day be careful as the sand can get very hot.
Nice spots for a picnic on the grass by the river near the car park.
Written 7 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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KAREKARE BEACH (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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