The dug pools
Your own pool in the sand.
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Grey Geezer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Krzysztof Golik — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz — CC BY-SA 4.0
Hot Water Beach lies on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, south of Mercury Bay and about 12 km from Whitianga. Hot springs filter up through its sand, and visitors dig holes to make their own pools, a rare experience that draws an estimated 700,000 people a year. The hot water rises through two underground fissures close together and reaches 64 °C, so it can scald unless mixed with seawater. The springs sit between the high and low tide marks, opposite the offshore rocks. That means they can be reached only around low tide, and the pools vanish when the sea returns. For two hours either side of low tide, a small part of the beach fills with people and spades. Away from that spot, wide calm sand and green dunes stretch out, with a small island on the horizon. At the beach's end are coloured rocks and plant-covered cliffs. Check the tide table before you come, as it matters more than the clock. Spades can be hired from a nearby shop, or bring your own. Mind the heat of the water, especially with children, and test it with your foot first. Do not swim carelessly, as the sea here can be dangerous, so ask about flags and conditions. It is 7.5 km in a straight line from Cathedral Cove.
Your own pool in the sand.
Marking where the springs are.
Calm away from the crowd.
South of Mercury Bay, Coromandel Peninsula
Within two hours either side of low tide, so check the tide table.
It can be very hot, so test it with your foot first and watch children.