Absolutely in love with this beach! It was actually my first ocean swim on my New Zealand adventure, and it did not disappoint. To reach this little slice of paradise, just take a 10-minute stroll from the Urquharts Bay car park. The walk is mostly flat, winding through grassy hills where you might even spot some adorable cows making every step worth it!

At each end of the bay, you’ll find rocky areas to explore. I saw two young girls adventuring around and leaping off into the water, but watch out for sea urchins if you’re tempted to join in. On most days, you’ll likely have this beach all to yourself; I only ran into a handful of people, and they didn’t stay long, making it feel like my own private paradise.

If you’re up for a little extra adventure, I highly recommend the Smugglers Bay Loop Track, which I’ve pinned on my map. It’s a beauty.