Vacation rentals in Cooks Beach

Located on the shore of the Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island, the town of Cooks Beach curves around two miles of white sand, perfect for swimming, strolling, and sunbathing. It’s one of the oldest spots in New Zealand, famous as the anchor site for Captain James Cook when he came ashore here for the first time in 1769. From the beach, you’ll see Cooks Bay to the north, and just west of that, Shakespeare Cliff, where you can take a short walk to catch a breathtaking view of the horizon over Mercury Bay.

Towering cliffs isolate the stunning Lonely Bay, where you can listen to the waves and admire the imposing limestone karsts jutting high out of the water, but which can only be reached via a short but steep walking track through the bush. Take a ride from Ferry Landing across the bay to the seaside town of Whitianga, home to a number of fantastic hikes through forested trails and restaurants serving fresh, locally caught seafood.

The weather in Cooks Beach is temperate but humid year-round, with the exception of a few cold weeks during the winter months of June, July, and August. Bear in mind that New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are opposite to what you might be used to. Cooks Beach is warmest between December and early March; the most popular months to visit the beach are December, April, and July. Though Cooks Beach never gets overwhelmingly crowded, if you’re looking to have a more solitary experience, you’ll want to visit between September and November, which are the quietest months of the year. If you do visit during this time, you may be lucky enough to attend the Whitianga Oceans Festival that is held for a week in September and celebrates the region’s freshly caught seafood and marine heritage.

Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve

Across the bay from Cooks Beach, just a ferry ride away in Whitianga, is the massive Shakespeare Cliff. The first leg of the path to the overlook brings you to Whitianga Rock, home to a Maori pa, or defensive fort. You’ll be able to see why this location was used as a lookout as it boasts clear views of Whitianga, the estuary, and Back Bay that go on for miles.

Whitianga

Whitianga is a small town on the other side of Mercury Bay. This once-small timber port has evolved into a hub for the local fishing, agriculture, and tourism industries. Here, you can enjoy water sports, spend a day walking through the forests of North Island, or sample some of the region’s famous scallops.

Lonely Bay

Hidden behind cliffs and accessible only via a loosely defined, difficult-to-traverse path, Lonely Bay is an accurately named hidden oasis. This is one of the most photogenic spots in Cooks Beach, with its northeast-facing shore perfectly located to watch the sunrise.