Cooks Beach

Travel Guide

Waikato featuring rocky coastline, a bay or harbor and a beach
Cooks Beach featuring tranquil scenes, general coastal views and a coastal town
Hahei Beach featuring a bay or harbor, a sandy beach and rugged coastline
Lonely Bay Beach featuring rugged coastline and a bay or harbor
Shakespeare Cliff Lookout featuring a sandy beach, surf and a bay or harbor
Captain Cook landed in this community of beaches and awe-inspiring cliffs in 1769, setting up observations and naming Mercury Bay.

Visit Cooks Beach to explore a quaint and picturesque community backing onto the cliffs and sandy strand of Mercury Bay. All types of resorts and bed-and-breakfasts line the narrow streets, which also have a few small restaurants and local shopping. Travel along the coastline of this community for spectacular vistas of the cliffs.

In the northwestern corner of the region is the city of Whitianga, home to the Mercury Bay Museum and the Bread & Butter Gallery. Take the Whitianga Ferry east across a stretch of water to get to Maramaratotara Bay and appreciate the views from the Mercury Bay Lookout at the end of a 30-minute nature trail. Continue east to the Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve, which has the Cook Memorial and an observation point overlooking the beaches.

Sunbathe on the golden sand of secluded Lonely Bay Beach, beside the bluffs. On its eastern side is the long Cooks Beach strand, which has restroom facilities. Venture through the dense forest to arrive at the white-sand beach, protected from the wind by the Shakespeare Cliffs. Captain James Cook landed at the eastern end of this beach in 1769.

From Whitianga you can join game fishing charters in Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve. Head east to the vineyards of Purangi and enjoy pizza and drinks at the Purangi Winery. Stroll along the banks of the enchanting Purangi River. A little south is the gorgeous Purangi Golf & Country Club.

The community of Cooks Beach is in the Thames-Coromandel District, in the northern part of New Zealand’s North Island. It lies at the northern end of Coromandel Forest Park. Drive east from Auckland for 110 miles (177 kilometers) to get here in 2 to 3 hours. While in the region, consider visiting other nearby areas such as Waiheke Island, Fletcher Bay and Great Mercury Island.

Cooks Estuary Escape - Waterfront at your doorstep

Cooks Estuary Escape - Waterfront at your doorstep

Cooks Beach
$358 nightly
The price is $406 total per night from Jul 18 to Jul 19
$406 total
Jul 18 - Jul 19
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Cooks Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a water park. Popular attractions Purangi Regional Reserve and Captain ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (151 reviews)
An exceptional family holiday
"We had a wonderful stay in a fantastic location, we loved that it was child and pet friendly house. There was so much to do and experience in the area, we’d definitely go back."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Cooks Estuary Escape - Waterfront at your doorstep
Relaxing beach vacation - beautiful, quiet and clean

Relaxing beach vacation - beautiful, quiet and clean

Cooks Beach
$234 nightly
The price is $265 total per night from Jul 18 to Jul 19
$265 total
Jul 18 - Jul 19
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this vacation home in Cooks Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Captain Cook's Memorial and Purangi Regional ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (109 reviews)
Amazing Cooks beach stay
"Great location with a well stocked kitchen. Even has an espresso machine."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Relaxing beach vacation - beautiful, quiet and clean
Flaxmill Accommodation

Flaxmill Accommodation

4 out of 5
1031 Purangi Rd, Flaxmill Bay RD1, Cooks Beach, Coromandel
Stay at this 4-star beach cottage in Cooks Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Flaxmill Bay Beach and Maramaratotara Bay ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
No AC
"I should have noticed before booking, but be advised it does not have Air Conditioning. They leave windows open which does help significantly, however by dark there were about 30 bugs in the bathroom from leaving that window open."

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2025

Flaxmill Accommodation
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Relaxing beach vacation - beautiful, quiet and clean

Relaxing beach vacation - beautiful, quiet and clean

Cooks Beach
Stay at this vacation home in Cooks Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Captain Cook's Memorial and Purangi Regional ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (109 reviews)
Amazing Cooks beach stay
"Great location with a well stocked kitchen. Even has an espresso machine."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Relaxing beach vacation - beautiful, quiet and clean
Cooks Estuary Escape - Waterfront at your doorstep

Cooks Estuary Escape - Waterfront at your doorstep

Cooks Beach
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Cooks Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a water park. Popular attractions Purangi Regional Reserve and Captain ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (151 reviews)
An exceptional family holiday
"We had a wonderful stay in a fantastic location, we loved that it was child and pet friendly house. There was so much to do and experience in the area, we’d definitely go back."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Cooks Estuary Escape - Waterfront at your doorstep
Flaxmill Accommodation

Flaxmill Accommodation

4 out of 5
1031 Purangi Rd, Flaxmill Bay RD1, Cooks Beach, Coromandel
Stay at this 4-star beach cottage in Cooks Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Flaxmill Bay Beach and Maramaratotara Bay ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
No AC
"I should have noticed before booking, but be advised it does not have Air Conditioning. They leave windows open which does help significantly, however by dark there were about 30 bugs in the bathroom from leaving that window open."

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2025

Flaxmill Accommodation
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cooks Beach

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Top Destination
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Cities near Cooks Beach