How do I access Scott Beach?

Scott Beach is located north of Karamea on the wild Kahurangi coast, near Kohaihai. Access requires driving north from Karamea township on Kohaihai Road (unsealed), approximately 15km. The road can be rough and is best suited to vehicles with good clearance, especially after rain. From the Kohaihai area, accessing Scott Beach may require walking or further navigation on foot, as it's more remote than neighboring beaches. The entire area is isolated with limited signage, so local knowledge or detailed maps are helpful. Allow extra time for the unsealed road conditions.

What food and accommodation options are available near Scott Beach?

Scott Beach has no facilities whatsoever—it's a remote wilderness beach. All services are located in Karamea township, approximately 15km south, which offers cafes, a general store, hotel, motels, and campgrounds. Visitors to Scott Beach should bring all necessary food, water, and supplies for their visit. The Department of Conservation campground at nearby Kohaihai provides basic camping facilities. Given the isolation, it's essential to be self-sufficient when visiting this area. Stock up on provisions in Karamea before heading to the beach, and carry extra supplies for safety.

What makes Scott Beach worth visiting?

Scott Beach offers an authentic wilderness coastal experience on the remote Kahurangi coast, where few visitors venture. The beach provides raw, untouched West Coast scenery with dramatic surf, wild shorelines, and a sense of genuine isolation. Its proximity to the Heaphy Track area and Kahurangi National Park adds to its wilderness character. The beach appeals to adventurous travelers seeking destinations off the beaten path, offering opportunities for solitude, nature photography, and experiencing New Zealand's coastline in its most natural state, away from developed beaches and tourist infrastructure.

Karamea · West Coast · New Zealand

Scott Beach

You'll find Scott Beach down a side road beyond Kohaihai, where the pavement ends and the Heaphy Track begins. Boulders the size of shipping containers frame black sand, and the forest crowds so close you can smell the decay of fallen beech.

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Karamea·West Coast·New Zealand

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8 captures from Scott Beach

About this beach

The access track drops through dense coastal podocarp forest where nikau palms cluster in the understory and supplejack vines loop between trunks. You emerge onto a beach hemmed by massive granite boulders, their surfaces pocked with holes where the Tasman has drilled through softer stone. The sand is charcoal-dark, flecked with mica that catches the light,…

Where it is

Scott Beach

Karamea, West Coast, New Zealand

-41.0969°, 172.1039°

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Top things to do

At Scott Beach

Frame boulder compositions

Granite giants, black sand

Explore boulder gaps

Passages between massive stones

Shelter in granite

Wind-protected boulder lees

Connect to Heaphy

Ten minutes to track start

Near this beach

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

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Good to know

Questions people actually ask about Scott Beach.

Is Scott Beach safe for swimming?

Scott Beach is a wild, exposed West Coast beach and swimming is not recommended due to dangerous surf conditions, strong currents, and cold water. The beach faces the Tasman Sea with no lifeguard services and extremely remote location, meaning emergency assistance would be far away. The coastline here is rugged and unpredictable. The beach is best appreciated for its natural beauty, walking, and exploration rather than water activities. If you do approach the water, extreme caution is necessary, and paddling should only be attempted in very calm conditions while being alert to wave sets.

When should I visit Scott Beach?

The best weather conditions for visiting Scott Beach occur during summer months (December-February), offering the most settled weather and longer daylight hours for exploring this remote location. However, the West Coast is known for high rainfall year-round, so be prepared for changing conditions at any time. Visiting during less crowded periods in spring or autumn can provide excellent experiences if weather cooperates. The beach's remote nature means it receives few visitors regardless of season. Always check weather forecasts before heading out, as conditions can deteriorate quickly in this isolated coastal area.