by Shawn Forno

Created on: March 10, 2010

Many people mistake Ninety-Mile Beach at the tip of Northland in the North Island for New Zealand’s longest beach. However, that particular honor belongs to the sprawling coastal cliffs of Bayley’s Beach on the southwestern coast.

Sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see in both directions, and the pounding surf that roars out of the Tasman on the “wild west coast” ensures that the soil and sandstone of the soaring cliff faces that compose the majority of the landscape will continue to add to the expansive beach for years to come.

Most of the large sand dunes that make up the beaches further north are the result of ancient volcanic eruptions in the south – like at Taranaki and Ruapehu – creating lighter sediment that the northward moving tide deposits up and down the west coast. While the majority of the west coast is comprised of impressive black sand beaches – like Piha – due to erosion from the inland mountain ranges, Bayley’s Beach is an exotic mix of the two factors – deposits of white sand and erosion of black sand cliffs – creating beaches infused with color and variety.

At low tide, the hard packed sand is great for four wheel drive vehicles, but as always, shifting sands, tidal inlets, and runoff can make treacherous quicksand and concealed potholes for unwary drivers or ill equipped vehicles.

In the Bayley’s Beach township a spectacular surfing beach cozies right up to the main road, where the “parking lot” is just the packed sand above the high tide mark. Locals and tourists gather daily to watch some of New Zealand’s finest surfers carve some of the countries heaviest waves. A few small inside sets invitingly reform off the shifting sand bars. However, rip tides, outside “sneaker sets,” rogue waves, and strong currents, are frequent, so only experts should attempt the big surf here.

Situated just a few hours northwest of Auckland, this tucked away surf town is a great stopover for those headed north to Cape Reinga and Tane Mahuta, or south to Auckland and Hamilton on the Twin Coast Discovery Highways. A few backpackers, hostels, and B&B’s litter the main stretch of town, located just a half kilometer from the beach and most rent surf equipment and book hiking or horse riding tours of the stunning environment along New Zealand’s longest beach.

For great surf, hiking, and a sprawling scenic view head west to Bayley’s Beach.

Just don’t underestimate the surf. It's big.

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