Coromandel visitor guide · updated July 2026
New Chum Beach (Wainuiototo Bay): A Visitor's Guide
New Chum Beach, or Wainuiototo Bay to give it its proper name, sits at the northern end of the Coromandel near Whangapoua. It's a long curve of golden sand backed by native bush, and the reason people rave about it is simple: there's nothing built on it. No road runs to the sand, no car park, no cafe, no toilet block. You walk in, and once you're round the headland the modern world drops away.
That's also why it takes a bit of planning. The walk depends on the tide, the parking is tight, and you carry out everything you carry in. Get those three things right and you'll have one of the best beach days in the country. Here's how to do it properly.
What makes it special: no road, no development
New Chum has been named among the world's best beaches more than once, including a spot on Britain's The Observer list of the world's top deserted beaches. The appeal is the emptiness. Because you can only reach it on foot, and only around the right tide, the crowds thin out fast. Pōhutukawa lean over the northern end, nikau palms fill the gullies behind the sand, and on a quiet weekday you can have long stretches to yourself.
It's protected land, so what you see is what there is. No buildings, no shops, no bins, no drinking water. Treat that as the whole point rather than an inconvenience and you'll enjoy it far more.
How to get there
Drive to Whangapoua, at the northern end of the Coromandel off State Highway 25. Follow the road right to the end, past the houses behind the beach. From the northern end of Whangapoua Beach you cross the Whangapoua estuary stream, then follow the rocky shoreline around the headland. After the rock-hopping you pick up a short bush track (signposted off Mangakāhia Drive) that climbs over a low saddle through the forest and drops down onto Wainuiototo Bay.
Reckon on roughly 20 to 40 minutes each way, depending on how nimble you are over the rocks and how many photos you stop for. It isn't a hard tramp, but parts of the shoreline are uneven and rocky, so it's not a buggy-friendly stroll. Wear shoes you can scramble in.
Why the tide matters
This is the part people get wrong, so read it twice. The estuary crossing and the rock-hop around the headland are only easy near low tide. The stream is shallowest and the rocks are exposed within about two hours either side of low. Aim to walk in on a falling or low tide.
As the tide comes in, the stream gets deeper and the rocks around the headland disappear under water. It's generally advised to avoid the crossing within about two hours either side of high tide. Get the timing wrong and you can find the route back cut off, which means either a cold wait or a swim you didn't plan for. Check a tide chart for Whangapoua before you leave, and work out your return crossing time before you set off, not after you're lying on the sand.
Parking and access etiquette
Parking at Whangapoua is limited and the streets are residential. In summer the handful of spaces fill early, so arrive in the morning if you can. Don't block driveways, don't park across access ways, and keep the noise down: real people live here year-round and put up with a lot of foot traffic through their neighbourhood. There are public toilets near the Whangapoua Beach car park, so use those before you walk in.
What to bring
Because there's nothing at the beach, you carry your own everything.
- Water and food for the day. There's no fresh water on site.
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, a shirt. The New Zealand sun is fierce and there's little shade on the open sand.
- Footwear you can rock-hop in. Bare feet on wet, barnacled rock is a bad time.
- A rubbish bag. There are no bins anywhere. Whatever you bring, including food scraps, goes home with you.
- A towel and layer, since the walk back can be breezy over the headland.
Staying safe
Mind the tide and the water
The main hazard is the tide cutting off your return, so know your crossing window. There are no lifeguards; rips and deep water are possible, so watch children and don't swim alone.
The biggest hazard here is the tide, not the surf, so the golden rule is to know your return crossing window and stick to it. If the stream's rising and the rocks are going under, don't push your luck.
In the water, take normal open-coast care. There are no lifeguards, the beach shelves away quickly in places, and waves and rips can pick up, especially with any swell or onshore wind. Watch children closely, don't swim alone, and if you're unsure of the conditions, stay in the shallows. It's a wild beach, not a patrolled one.
Best time to visit
The single most important factor is a daytime low tide, so plan the visit around that first and the date second. Early morning is your best shot at both space and a park in the busy months of December through February. Autumn and spring are gorgeous and far quieter. The pōhutukawa flower red around Christmas, which is the classic Kiwi summer picture, but it's also peak crowds. Whenever you go, allow enough daylight to get back across the estuary comfortably before the tide turns.
If you're building a Coromandel itinerary around this end of the peninsula, it pairs well with the walk to Cathedral Cove or a soak at Hot Water Beach further down the east coast, both of which are also tide-sensitive in their own way.
Plan your visit
- Getting there: Drive to Whangapoua, cross the estuary at the north end of the beach, rock-hop the headland, then take the bush track over the saddle. Around 20 to 40 minutes each way.
- Tide: Go around low tide. Avoid the crossing within about two hours either side of high tide, or you risk being cut off.
- Facilities: None at the beach. Toilets are back at the Whangapoua car park. No shops, water or bins.
- Bring: Water, food, sun protection, sturdy footwear, and a bag to carry out all your rubbish.
- Etiquette: Parking is limited and residential. Arrive early, don't block driveways, respect the locals.
- Safety: No lifeguards; watch for rips and deep water, and always leave time for your return crossing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to New Chum Beach?
There's no road to the beach. You drive to Whangapoua at the northern end of the Coromandel, walk to the north end of Whangapoua Beach, cross the estuary stream, rock-hop around the headland, then follow a short bush track over a low saddle into Wainuiototo Bay. It takes roughly 20 to 40 minutes each way.
Does the tide matter for the walk?
Yes, a lot. The estuary crossing and the rocks around the headland are only easy near low tide, ideally within about two hours either side of low. As the tide rises the stream deepens and the rocks go under water, so avoid crossing within about two hours either side of high tide or you can get cut off. Always check a Whangapoua tide chart and plan your return before you set out.
Are there toilets or facilities at New Chum Beach?
No. The beach is undeveloped, with no toilets, shops, drinking water or rubbish bins. There are public toilets and parking back at the Whangapoua Beach car park, so use those before you walk in, and carry out everything you bring, including your rubbish.
Can you swim at New Chum Beach?
You can, but take care. There are no lifeguards, the beach can shelve away quickly, and rips and waves can pick up with swell or onshore wind. Keep a close eye on children, don't swim alone, and stay in the shallows if you're unsure of the conditions.