Hot Water Beach is renowned for its warm natural hot spring which attracts people all year round to the perfect location for a hot soak on the beach in the Coromandel.

On the low tide you can dig your own hot pool in the sand (head to the left of the beach by the cliff face and rocks on the shore), where steaming hot water bubbles up from the depths below. This phenomenon occurs due to the underground hot springs that lie just beneath the beach's surface. Armed with a shovel (readily available for rent nearby), you can carve out their own spa-like experience, allowing hot mineral-rich water to blend with the cool ocean waves, creating a soothing and therapeutic bathing experience.

Beyond the hot pools, the beach itself boasts stunning vistas, which I have photographed during the day and at sunrise. I would suggest going at sunrise as you will be able to photograph the sun to the east with the hot springs in the foreground (if it's low tide). If it's not low tide the beach is still beautiful and there are some rocks around to practice sea scape photography. I would suggest taking your wide angle (16-35mm or similar) and mid range zoom (24-70mm) for this spot.

Drone photography is also allowed at Hot Water Beach and on a good day there are some amazing top down wave shots to be had.