How do I get to Matakaoa Point Beach from Hicks Bay?

Matakaoa Point Beach is located near Hicks Bay along State Highway 35, the scenic route around the East Cape. Access requires a private vehicle as public transport doesn't service this remote area. From Hicks Bay, follow local roads toward Matakaoa Point, watching for coastal access points. Roads can be narrow and winding, requiring careful driving. Ensure your vehicle has sufficient fuel as service stations are sparse in the East Cape region. The journey offers stunning coastal views characteristic of this dramatic coastline. Allow extra time for the winding roads and occasional photo stops along this scenic route.

What accommodation and dining options exist near Matakaoa Point Beach?

Hicks Bay offers limited accommodation including a motel, campground, and holiday rentals, making it the best base for visiting Matakaoa Point Beach. The general store in Hicks Bay provides basic supplies and simple food options, though choices are limited. Visitors should bring supplies from larger towns or stock up in Hicks Bay. There are minimal restaurant options in the immediate area. Many East Cape travellers come prepared with camping gear or travel in self-contained vehicles. The region's remote nature requires advance planning for meals and accommodation, especially during summer months when limited options can book out.

What makes Matakaoa Point Beach unique for couples?

Matakaoa Point Beach offers couples a romantic, rugged coastal setting with dramatic scenery and exceptional solitude. The rocky coastline creates striking visual drama perfect for memorable photographs and quiet contemplation. Unlike sandy family beaches, its rugged character appeals to those seeking scenic beauty over recreational swimming. The remote East Cape location provides genuine escape from crowds and modern distractions. Couples can enjoy peaceful coastal walks, spectacular sunrises over the Pacific, and the raw natural beauty of New Zealand's easternmost regions. The combination of isolation, stunning landscapes, and photogenic rock formations makes it ideal for romantic getaways focused on nature and tranquility.

Hicks Bay · Gisborne / Tairāwhiti · New Zealand

Matakaoa Point Beach

This isn't a beach for sunbathing or sandcastles. Matakaoa Point is all sharp edges and tide pools, where the Pacific has spent millennia arguing with ancient lava flows.

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Hicks Bay·Gisborne / Tairāwhiti·New Zealand

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This isn't a beach for sunbathing or sandcastles. Matakaoa Point is all sharp edges and tide pools, where the Pacific has spent millennia arguing with ancient lava flows.

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Photos

8 captures from Matakaoa Point Beach

About this beach

The first thing you notice is the rocks—not polite pebbles but angular chunks of basalt, some the size of cars, scattered across the shoreline like a giant's abandoned game. Between them, pockets of coarse sand host driftwood sculptures bleached white by salt and sun. At low tide, the point reveals itself as a series of platforms and shelves, each one a muse…

Where it is

Matakaoa Point Beach

Hicks Bay, Gisborne / Tairāwhiti, New Zealand

-37.5640°, 178.3170°

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Top things to do

At Matakaoa Point Beach

Photograph tide pools

Volcanic platforms at dawn

Navigate rock platforms

Watch your footing carefully

Explore reefs

Shallow channels between rocks

Watch storms roll

Ocean meets ancient lava

Near this beach

Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Matakaoa Point Beach.

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Good to know

Questions people actually ask about Matakaoa Point Beach.

Is Matakaoa Point Beach safe for swimming?

Matakaoa Point Beach is rocky and generally not ideal for swimming. The rocky coastline and exposed location create challenging conditions with strong currents, waves breaking on rocks, and unpredictable ocean behavior. There are no lifeguard services or safety facilities. This beach is better suited for scenic walks, photography, and coastal exploration rather than water activities. Those wishing to enter the water should wear sturdy footwear due to rocks and only do so in very calm conditions with extreme caution. The rugged nature of this coastline makes it more appealing to couples and photographers than families seeking swimming beaches.

When should I visit Matakaoa Point Beach for the best experience?

The best time to visit Matakaoa Point Beach is during summer (December to February) when weather is most favorable for coastal exploration and photography. Clear days offer spectacular views of the rugged coastline and dramatic rock formations. Autumn (March-May) can provide beautiful light for photography with fewer visitors. The exposed location means wind can be significant year-round. Early morning or late afternoon often provides the best lighting for capturing the scenic beauty. Given the focus on scenery rather than swimming, mild weather days in spring and autumn can be equally rewarding as summer for visiting this photogenic spot.