Visiting Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula
Visiting Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula is the only place in the world where I can ever feel truly relaxed. A place I can rest my weary jandals and unwind after any stresses.
Sunrise in Whangamata
Visiting Whangamata
For 25 years I have been heading to the family beach bach (Kiwi slang for holiday accommodation) in Whangamata for all sorts of water adventures. Snorkelling, surfing and relaxing on the empty beaches with a good book are how the days are best filled.
Even as the car cruises along the winding black sticky tarmac, melting under the hot sun, I begin to get a sense of relaxation. Knowing what is to come over the coming summer days.
Especially as we drover nearer and nearer it always became a competition between us boys to see who could spot the sparkling blue sea on the horizon first between the rolling farmland.
Luckily for such a beautiful spot, development on the Coromandel Peninsula is slow and Whangamata hasn’t changed much in the 25 years that we have been visiting.
Sure the houses have got bigger and more expensive. But you don’t have to scratch very far below the surface to find the small town charm of New Zealand in Whangamata.
Small town Whangamata seen from the Clark Island lookout
Locals still stop their cars on the main street to chat through their windows oblivious to the queue behind them. Not that anyone in the queue minds.
And if you pass someone on the beaches while walking the dog then a friendly greeting you will receive.
That is if you even see another person strolling along the empty white sandy beaches, which stretch from the Harbour entrance in the north, to the freshwater estuary mouth to the south.
It doesn’t take long to fall back into the easy lifestyle of the locals either. And even though I am there to relax, I don’t sleep in.
I wouldn’t want to miss the spectacular sunrises that spread across the eastern skies. Bringing warm summer breezes and a blistering sun to make you run for some shade and an ice cream in the afternoon.
Whether it is with a freshly waxed surfboard tucked under the arm or the launching of the boat over the sand, we are up early to make the most of our days.
If we are out on the boat then lunch is packed away for later. Sheltered and secluded beaches along the rocky coastline or on one of the islands becomes our tablecloth. And the sun warms us up after spending too long chasing crayfish underwater.
While it should surprise me, even after all this time on the road I still count myself lucky that I get to call New Zealand home. The only problem with visiting Whangamata and home, is that it makes it quite hard to say goodbye.
If you want to go Hiking in Whangamata check out our Wentworth Falls photos.
Thanks to Moss Burmester for some of the photos.
Category: Oceania
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi slang for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We love all types of adventures that make us step outside our comfort zone, in comfort, including surfing, skiing, snowboarding, diving and cruising on our bikes. You can find out more 
This place looks stunningly beautiful, yet tranquil. I can see why it would make a good haven of relaxation. I love the photo of Whangamata at sunrise – amazing!
Jessica recently posted..Sunday Snapshot: Lake Quilatoa
Hard to find a more beautiful spot on the planet…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Where Should We Stay in Las Vegas – You Decide
Oh, the beach! Beach is one of the top things I enjoy on a vacation. Beautiful photos. Looks like a great place for some relaxation.
Salika Jay recently posted..Barcelona Nightlife – A Starter Guide
Stunning captures!! NZ is so high on my bucket list! I will be travelling to Melbourne sometime next year, maybe I will try doing a bit of NZ then. Is it feasible?
Arti recently posted..Turning 3 – Our Yatra Continues…
Wow, what a gorgeous place to call home! Looks like such a relaxing place to come back to….
Callie recently posted..TAKING A PICTURE OF YOU…TAKING A PICTURE OF ME
Lucky you! What a beautiful place to take your family vacations.
Micki recently posted..12 Travel Tips For Making the Most of your Smartphone on the Road
Love this place too. Certainly going to do a road trip here this summer while I’m back in nz
Sam recently posted..Thoughts on Choosing Your Travel Accommodation
I spent over a year in NZ and I fell in love with the place. I’m in China now, and I think of New Zealand more than ever!
travelFREAK recently posted..Win a Trip to Rome!
Nice work Cole and Adela look forward to seeing more. Thanks for the tweet
Great photos and description! I spend Christmas 2010 at Cathedral Cove… it was amazing and so beautiful!
Jade – OurOyster.com recently posted..Travelling With Children – Interview With GreenGlobalTravel
Wow really looks like the best place to relax, great pictures.
Angela recently posted..I want to “Go With Oh” to Paris
It’s great to have that go to relaxing place – mine in New Zealand is Ohope Beach near Whakatane where I spent holidays growing up. The Corommandel is another favourite region
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..Destination wedding in Bali
Beautiful shots. It reminds me a bit of Hawaii between the beach scene and lush jungle.
jill recently posted..Scenes from the Amazing Valley of Fire
Never had anyone compare it to Hawaii before but can definitely see the similarities! Not a bad place to grow up aye
I can’t wait to be there and to see this beautiful place with my eyes. I want to have a long walk on that white beach, and listen to the waves and the breeze…
Simon recently posted..Barcelona, the Dragon of the Rambla
Definitely let us know where you are going in NZ and we can help out hopefully! Just published this post too – http://www.fourjandals.com/adventure-travel/hiking-wentworth-falls-valley-coromandel-peninsula-new-zealand/
I visited Whangamata back in 2003. If I’m not mistaken, you pronounce it Fanga-ma-ta (or at least that is how my Kiwi friend pronounced it.) I kept saying, “We should go to Whangamata. I read that the surf is good.” He kept saying, “Sure, but first we’ll visit Fangamata.” We had some disagreements as to which one we should visit first.
Noah recently posted..37 Hours: Hoi An
Hahaha yup totally right there Noah. In Maori, “Wh” is pronounced like an “F”. Confusing when you have places called “Whakatane”
That certainly does look like a gorgeous and relaxing place to spend some vacation time!
Ali recently posted..Evaluating Transportation Options
Not a bad place to grow up and have family holidays at each year aye
Very beautiful pictures! You’re doing a great job in promoting New Zealand
Izy Berry – The Wrong Way Home recently posted..Travel Musings: The Now
We should be keeping Whangamata secret though
We do need to write more NZ posts, just haven’t been home in so long until now!
I have heard about the Coromandel Peninsula before, but not this particular town. Definitely looks relaxing!
- Maria Alexandra
nomadic translator recently posted..Playa Del Carmen nightclubs: La gente esta muy LOCA…WTF?
It is one of the first towns you get to. Prefer the small town charm of it compared to some of the other towns further north.
Don’t say goodbye! Stay there forever! Why do all these New Zealanders always want to see the world when they clearly have the best of it right at their jandal-covered feet?!
Turtle recently posted..Visiting Luxembourg City
All you Aussies just can’t seem to get out of Australia quick enough
Must be something wrong with it!
After reading this we spent a few days on the Coromandel and enjoyed a lovely coffee in Whangamata, thanks for sharing!
David recently posted..The Coromandel Peninsula; New Zealand’s worst kept secret
The Coromandel Peninsula is definitely New Zealand’s worst kept secret! Just amazed, less people travel there than the rest of NZ when they visit