Tutukaka

Travel Guide
Tutukaka showing water sports, a bay or harbour and a sandy beach
With diving and fishing charters, sandy beaches and excellent restaurants, you’ll see why this natural harbour is one of Northland’s most popular destinations.

The small community of Tutukaka and its surrounding coastline contains secluded swimming beaches and scenic forested areas. Come here to swim, snorkel, bushwalk, dive and fish. Enjoy a relaxed coffee in a café at the marina or venture inland for some of the best nature trails in the Northland Region.

Stop at Tutukaka Marina for its cafés, restaurants and small range of stores selling locally made handicrafts. Watch yachts bobbing on the water or reserve a spot on a fishing or diving charter boat with one of the many companies operating from the marina. Tutukaka Marina hosts a weekend market where you can purchase freshly caught seafood and local produce.

The Tutukaka Coast contains some of the finest beaches in New Zealand. Drive to Matapouri Bay from the marina in just 10 minutes to see pristine golden sand and turquoise waters. Other great Tutukaka Coast daytrips include the popular swimming beaches of Whale Bay, Woolley’s Bay and Whangaumu Bay.

Rent a surfboard from a surf shop in Tutukaka and drive to Sandy Bay, approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) from the marina. The bay is one of the best surf beaches on the Tutukaka Coast. Learn how to surf from an instructor or watch experienced surfers ride clean waves in surfing competitions held year-round.

Many diving companies and fishing charter boats operate from Tutukaka Marina and cater to all experience levels. If you have prior experience, try wreck diving with a specialist diver. See decommissioned Royal New Zealand Navy vessels deep below the water’s surface on a wreck trip.

Tutukaka is located about 190 kilometres (120 miles) from Auckland on the North Island’s east coast. The city has many boutique hotels, self-contained apartments and affordable lodges. Alternatively, book accommodations in the nearby coastal village of Ngunguru.

Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka
Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka
4 out of 5
1 Marina Drive, Rd3, Tutukaka
The price is CA $120 per night from Jul. 20 to Jul. 21
CA $120
CA $138 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Tutukaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a marina. Popular attractions Tutukaka Marina and Dive Tutukaka are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (453 reviews)
"What a lovely place and location Close to Marina and very friendly and knowledgeable staff Having a BBQ on site is great and we cooked our meal there . Being winter couldn’t use the pool but would be great in summer. Wotif should remove reference to Gym as it’s not part of hotel and only accessible ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 9, 2024

Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka
Pacific Rendezvous
Pacific Rendezvous
4 out of 5
73 Motel Road, Tutukaka, Northland
The price is CA $176 per night from Jul. 1 to Jul. 2
CA $176
CA $205 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 1 - Jul 2
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Tutukaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Tutukaka Headland and Tutukaka Marina ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (203 reviews)
Wonderful in every way.
"Beautiful location. Wonderful management - all lost power in the whole region and the management could not have done more to make us comfortable. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on Jun. 21, 2024

Pacific Rendezvous
Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre
Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre
3 out of 5
9 Riverside Drive, Whangarei
Fully refundable
The price is CA $132 per night from Jun. 29 to Jun. 30
CA $132
CA $155 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 29 - Jun 30
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Whangarei. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the room service in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (447 reviews)
"Ok but showing its age"

Reviewed on Jun. 11, 2024

Distinction Whangarei Hotel & Conference Centre
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.
Pacific Rendezvous
Pacific Rendezvous
4 out of 5
73 Motel Road, Tutukaka, Northland
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Tutukaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Tutukaka Headland and Tutukaka Marina ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (203 reviews)
Wonderful in every way.
"Beautiful location. Wonderful management - all lost power in the whole region and the management could not have done more to make us comfortable. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on Jun. 21, 2024

Pacific Rendezvous
Kingswood Manor Motel
Kingswood Manor Motel
3.5 out of 5
260 Kamo Road, Whangarei, Northland
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Whangarei. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (431 reviews)
"The stay was last minute and more than sufficient for our needs. Kitchenette was very handy too but don't park under tree unless you like bird kaka on vehicle."

Reviewed on May 30, 2024

Kingswood Manor Motel
Aaron Court Motel
Aaron Court Motel
2.5 out of 5
22 Wolfe Street, Whangarei
Stay at this aparthotel in Whangarei. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Claphams Clock Museum and Hundertwasser Art ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (27 reviews)
"Lovely spacious room with good cooking facilities. Comfy bed and very nice people. Very clean. Will definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on Jun. 20, 2024

Aaron Court Motel
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

Reviews of Tutukaka

3.3
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 33.333333333333336%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 33.333333333333336%

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

A horrid town that is not about serving tourists. Unless you booked a dive or a fishing trip you REALLY should skip this one. My friend got sick from the nasty pizza place here and we had to stay longer! I got to experience all the town DOESN’T offer

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