The primary draw of Hot Water Beach is the presence of underground hot springs that filter up through the golden sand. Within a couple of hours on either side of low tide, people flock to this specific area of the beach to dig their own personal hot pools. As you dig down, warm to very hot water (reaching up to 64°C or 147°F in some spots!) begins to seep into your makeshift pool. You can then customize the size and temperature by mixing in cooler seawater. We rented our spade at the Hahei Resort campground office where we stayed. But it's also possible to rent it from the General Store in Hahei or in some local shops near Hot Water Beach.

Timing is Key:

The hot springs are only accessible around low tide. Make sure to check the tide charts before you go, as the window of opportunity to dig your pool is limited to about two hours before and two hours after the lowest point. Arriving at high tide means the hot spring area will be submerged.