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Piha Beach, located in the North Island of New Zealand has been voted the “World’s Best Beach” by the global travel website Big 7. For some this may come as a surprise, but for us at Southern Alps Air we know that New Zealand holds some of the best remote beaches you will find anywhere on this planet.
This is the sixth year the competition has been held and is based on more than just one website’s optinion. The judges looked at social media reviews, blue flag (clean water) ratings and other media website ratings as well as their own judgement.
Piha Beach offers a tantalising stretch of soft volcanic black sand and sweeping ocean views. Located in the Waitakeres, a ruggedly beautiful area, a short drive from Auckland.
The beach is also the location for famous Lion Rock which stands proudly looking out across the Tasman Sea (separating New Zealand from Australia).
Piha is renowned for great surfing breaks and is a favourite with surfers. This means the waves can be pretty strong here so swimmers need to be careful.
A small and friendly year round beach community offers visitors a great local experience. However it avoids the mass commercialism that can often found at the seaside.
Just a 45 minute drive west of Auckland (New Zealand’s largest city). Piha offers visitors the chance to stay for a morning, a day or experience a few days of wild ocean time.
Neighbouring Bethells Beach is just north of Piha. It has also been described as the world’s best beach, but this time by Taylor Swift. She filmed scenes for her music video “Out of the Woods” here in 2016, describing it as “the most beautiful beach I’ve ever been on in my life”.
You can visit both beaches on a day trip from Auckland. This is possibly one of the best beach days you can have in the world!
Only one other New Zealand beach made the Top 50 – Awaroa in Tasman National Park (in the top of the South Island of New Zealand). This remote beach can only be accessed by water taxi but is well worth the effort.
If you love wild coastlines and interesting bird and marine life, then the South Island of New Zealand is for you! Many visitors to New Zealand plan a road trip that enables them to see both Islands – North & South. Spot dolphins, seals, sea lions and rare Southern Hemisphere penguins from the shoreline, or jump on a boat tour. Our pick would be Kaikoura, Akaroa, Stewart Island or Milford Sound.
Piopiotahi is the Maori name for the world famous location of Milford Sound. Located in the lower South Island of New Zealand, Milford Sound may not be a beach but is surely recognised as one of the most beautiful water views in the world.
This fiord can be found deep within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Described by Sir Rudyard Kipling as the 8th Wonder of the World it is on the bucket list for most travellers to New Zealand.
To journey here is to experience a lush landscape of temperate rainforest, dramatic mountain glaciers, tumbling waterfalls and cold, clean ocean waters.
While Milford Sound can be reached by road, travellers who wish to experience the full beauty of Milford Sound can opt for a scenic flight and cruise. This gives a “birds eye” view of Milford Sound, with views reaching inland across the mountains and forest, and out across the ocean.
Scenic flights depart from Te Anau, Queenstown and Wanaka. When you fly from Wanaka you will see over 100 glaciers as you fly in over the Mt Aspiring and then Fiordland National Park. Allow a half day fora return scenic flight and cruise on the Sound itself. Here you may spot penguins, seals, seal lions and even a dolphin swimming in the bow waves!
Ultimate Milford Sound Scenic Fly-Cruise-Fly>>
Scenic Epic – Milford Sound, Aoraki / Mt. Cook, Mt Aspiring & the Fox & Franz Glaciers >>
The beauty of New Zealand is in its’ extremes. From remote, less visited beaches to the dramatic natural beauty of Milford Sound this is truly a nature lovers paradise. Southern Alps Air offers 5* rated scenic flight options, departing from Wanaka. Get in touch with us today to plan your New Zealand adventure.
NZ Freephone: 0800 345 666
Phone: +64 (0)3 443 4385
Fax: +64 (0)3 443 8666
Email: info@southernalpsair.co.nz
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