New Zealand’s Hot Water Beach

Hot Water Beach is a popular geothermal attraction located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand, approximately twelve km southeast of Whitianga. Between low and high tides, warm water from two underground hot springs rises up through the sand, and by scooping a shallow hole, you can create a small pool of warm water to lie on. The phenomenon occurs only at low to mid-tide when the water is low, so two hours before and after is the best time to go.

During peak season, hundreds of people—especially families—take to the beach armed with spade and bucket, and start digging pools large enough to lay in while the warm water envelops them. The deeper you dig, the hotter the water becomes. With temperature reaching as high as a scalding 64°C, diggers often dig a channel to the sea to allow cold water to mix in. With the ebb and flow of the tide each individually created hot pool is washed away, paving the way for the next influx of visitors.

The beach is a popular destination both for locals and tourists visiting New Zealand. However, care needs to be exercised as the hot springs are not far from the sea even at low tide, and visitors are known to be caught unaware by dangerous rip currents, holes and large breaking waves.