South Island Beach Holidays
Check out these beach escape destinations in the spectacular South Island. Known for its exceptional scenery, the South Island has a little bit of everything to please every traveller. From the aquamarine waters and white sand in the Tasman region, to the extensive coastline on the West Coast you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy the water this Summer.
Nelson/Tasman Region. This region is one of the few places in New Zealand where you’ll find good temperatures all year round for water-based activities. A bonus is being one of the sunniest regions in the country. From Cable Bay, to Tahunanui Beach, to Kaiteriteri Beach and over the Takaka Hill to Golden Bay, there are plenty of choices if you love to be on or near the water. Kayak, paddleboard, swim or take out the boat on calm sheltered bays with alpine and coastal landscapes. Home to many of the country’s national parks, Tasman is the perfect place to explore and discover lakes, rivers, mountains, beaches, waterfalls, and native bush. Visit Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park and Nelson Lakes National Park. Each of these parks are unique. Activities in the parks include the great walks of Abel Tasman Coastal Track and the Heaphy Track, lake fishing for salmon and trout and kayaking crystal clear waters. The Tasman region also has stunning waterfall walks; visit Whiskey Falls in the Nelson Lakes National Park, or Whispering Falls near Nelson.
Kaikoura. On land or by sea Kaikoura is a perfect all-year-round destination to relax, refresh and explore one of New Zealand’s best beaches. No visit to Kaikoura would be complete without experiencing a whale-watching tour for which this town is world-famous. Out in the Pacific Ocean, the stunning sperm whale makes the waters off Kaikoura its playground, giving you the perfect opportunity to see this gigantic mammal in all its natural glory. If you are keen to give your sea legs a rest, Kaikoura also offers plenty of land based adventures. There are many easy walks along the coastline, giving you the chance to explore and experience the history of this former whaling port and an area of the New Zealand that is rich in Maori culture and heritage. Fishing in this region is understandably popular due to the abundant marine life. Experienced local fishing charter operators offer trips targeting mainly blue cod, sea perch, groper, and of course the famous Kaikoura crayfish. Kaikoura is also a surf destination that you must see and experience! With a deep ocean trench coming close to land, it provides grunty south swells that fire along its majestic coastline.
Banks Peninsula. Spend time discovering the bays of the Banks Peninsula. On the way to Akaroa lies Little River, a must stop for delicious food, coffee and spending time at the art gallery and gift store. From Little River it's a short drive up to the Summit Road, with amazing photo opportunities and panoramic vistas of the harbour. The road follows the crater rim of an ancient volcano and the views from the top are amazing. Located in the hills above Akaroa is the Hinewai Reserve, where you can enjoy a walk through reviving native forest. Driving back to the summit there's an option to head down to the beautiful sandy beach of Okains Bay or maybe spend some time exploring the Okains Bay Museum. Instead of driving back to Christchurch via state highway 75, there's a turn-off to Gebbies Pass that connects Gebbies Valley with Lyttelton Harbour. Governor’s Bay is on the way, a cute place to stop famous for the Ohinetahi gardens. Keep following the road heading to Lyttelton, the port of Christchurch. Lyttelton is the oldest settlement on Banks Peninsula and the town is rich in history with eccentric cafes, bars and restaurants.
West Coast. The West Coast region is never wider than 50 kms but it extends more than 500 kms along the West Coast of the South Island, making it New Zealand’s longest region. The West Coast is known for its striking scenery, national parks, and rugged, untamed wilderness. In this region, you’ll find striking mountains, immense glaciers, native forests, and intriguing limestone landforms. You’ll also find plenty of places to enjoy the water in this region, from beautiful sandy or rocky coastal beaches to calm forested lakes and exciting raging rivers. As both a coastal region and as the longest region in New Zealand, there are seemingly endless stretches of coastline to explore.
Dunedin. There are over 25 beaches in Dunedin and they're all special in their own way. From the wild beaches of the Otago Peninsula to the sheltered bays of the harbour as well as New Zealand's nicest city beach, Dunedin is the place to go for beach exploration. Dunedin's got a reputation for being a 'cold water Bali' for its ample surfing breaks. Being a coastal city Dunedin has many beaches scattered along its coastline and around the Otago Harbour. Most are only a few minutes drive from the central city and have easy access and some have regular surf patrols during the busy summer period. The Otago Peninsula is home to the only mainland albatross colony in the Southern hemisphere or enjoy walks with spectacular coastal views and a chance to see wildlife. Visit Sandfly Bay Recreation Reserve – remarkable for its native fauna and flora and its spectacular views of the Otago Peninsula coastline and cliff tops. It has a significant colony of yellow-eyed penguins and seabirds such as spotted shags, sooty shearwaters and variable oystercatchers. New Zealand fur seals and New Zealand sea lions hang out on the rocks and beach and wallow in the sand.
Southland. Southland features many gorgeous coastal views and excellent beaches for many kinds of recreational activities. This incredibly diverse region is known for its beautiful coastline and abundant wildlife and nature. Southland is framed by many unique beach locations that every traveller should visit! There is a beach for all, whether you are looking for lakeside boat action, a wicked swell for surfers, sun for your tan, safety for the children's sandcastles, or epic views for photography - Southland has them all. In contrast to the dryness of Central Otago, Southland is lush and green. Tranquil waterways attract fly-fishing enthusiasts in search of brown trout. Near-pristine southern rainforest provides opportunities for day walks and hiking. The amazing Catlins Coast promises wildlife encounters and the chance to see Curio Bay - a petrified forest of subtropical kauri and other trees dating back to the Jurassic age. You’ll discover a variety of breathtaking landscapes in Southland, such as rugged coastlines, fishing ports, rolling plains, lush rainforests, and caves. There are also lots of swimming spots in Southland, ranging from coastal beaches to inland lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.
