If you travel north from Whitianga , turn left at Kuaotunu then on to Opito bay you will then turn right to Matapaua Bay. Once quite difficult to access the road has been tar sealed at the steepest parts making it more accessible.
A lovely bay with those fortunate to have baches here, having great snorkeling and fishing at there door steps .
If you walk along the beach to the right you’ll see some stairs that mark the start of a walking track to Sandy bay. Once only accessible by boat this is about an hour walk along the coastline. We didn’t do this as I had not known this was there. One day. So after here we went back to Opito and walked to the southern end and over to Crayfish bay.
Once you would snorkel and get grayfish here but there a lot harder to find today. People jump from these cliffs for fun and rock fishing is quite popular here.
Opito itself is a large beach with lots of residents and holiday batches. It is a popular launching place for boaties but doesn’t have a concrete ramp. There are no stores here either with the closest back at Kuaotunu.
Heading back over the hill and were at Otama beach. This beach drops of sharply , can have strong waves, but also good surf casting. Known for it white sand cleanliest. There are camping sites available here but no stores.
Back to Kuaotunu were here there is a store and restaurant. Again a nice beach and it also has a renowned surf break. It also has the a concrete boat ramp.
Further on you may like to stop at Matarangi.
Then on to Whangapoa beach. there is a store here also.
Then walking out along a rough path following the rocks crossing over the ridge near the end of the point you will come to the world famous beach New Chums.
There are a few of our beaches here on the Coromandel. Most are Pristine so lets keep them that way and leave only foot prints.