Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē/Ninety Mile Beach
While not quite 90 miles long — it is 88 kilometers, or 55 miles — the sprawling Ninety Mile Beach runs the length of Ahipara with soft golden sands alongside turquoise waters. A popular destination with surfers, the bay features one of the longest surf breaks in New Zealand. Swimmers and sunbathers also frequent the area, as do wind-powered sand buggies that zip up and down the coast.
Ahipara Sand Dunes
Park at the Ninety Mile Beach Lookout lot and walk west along the beach for about two miles, where you’ll find towering sand dunes running to the water’s edge. Climb to the top of the dunes and take in spectacular vistas stretching back toward the town. You can hike in a board for sand sliding, or rent a buggy or motorcycle to explore the area and easily traverse the dunes.
Te Kōhanga / Shipwreck Bay
Te Kōhanga / Shipwreck Bay is another popular surf spot that attracts wave riders from across the country to this small crescent beach west of Ahipara. The expansive beach, set among stunning coastal mountains, is a great place to watch surfers catch the waves. A host of old shipwrecks remain in the bay waters here, and can often be spotted peeking out of the water during low tide.