Little Bay is one of the northern Coromandel’s quietest treasures — a sheltered 600-metre crescent of sand tucked behind a bush-clad headland at the southern end of Waikawau Bay. Locals have done a quietly heroic job of keeping it under the radar, and the gravel road in keeps the crowds away. If you want clear water, easy swimming, good snorkelling and a genuine “end of the road” feeling, Little Bay rewards the effort to get there.
⏱️ Time: ~50–60 min drive from Coromandel Town • 💲 Cost: Free (self-contained camping free in the carpark) • 🥾 Effort: Easy — flat beach; gravel road access • 📍 Near: Waikawau Bay, Colville, northern Coromandel
🗺️ Directions (Google Maps)🚗 Open in Waze
Where is Little Bay?
Little Bay sits on the eastern side of the northern Coromandel Peninsula, about 28 km north of Coromandel Town as the crow flies — but plan on a slower, more scenic 50–60 minutes by road because much of the route is unsealed. It’s immediately south of the much longer Waikawau Bay, separated by a single low hill. This is remote, low-key Coromandel: native bush meets the sea, there’s no shop or café, and your phone signal will come and go.
How to get there (directions & road conditions)
From Coromandel Town, the typical route is:
- Take Colville Road north for roughly 22 km to the small settlement of Colville (last reliable spot for a basic store — stock up here or, better, in Coromandel Town).
- Continue toward Whangaahei junction, then turn right onto Port Charles Road.
- Turn right into Waikawau Beach Road and follow it down toward Waikawau Bay.
- Little Bay is just over the hill at the southern end of Waikawau Bay — follow local signage to the Little Bay Recreational Reserve.
Road warning: Much of the road north of Colville is gravel, narrow and winding, with blind corners and the occasional ford. Drive slowly, keep left on blind bends, and allow more time than your GPS suggests. It’s manageable in a normal car in dry conditions, but campervans and trailers should take it carefully. After heavy rain, surfaces can be rough or slippery.
⛽ No services beyond Coromandel Town: Coromandel Town is your last stop for petrol, an ATM, a supermarket and medical supplies. There is no fuel, café or shop at Little Bay. Fill the tank and bring food, water and cash before you head north.
Swimming, surfing & what to do
Little Bay’s sheltered shape makes it one of the friendlier swimming beaches in the area — the water is clear and the bay offers more protection than the open surf next door. As with any unpatrolled New Zealand beach, there are no lifeguards, so swim within your depth, watch for currents near the rocks and headlands, and keep an eye on children. Conditions are generally calmest around the rocky points at each end of the bay.
- Snorkelling & diving: The rocky reefs at both ends of the bay are good for snorkelling on a calm, clear day.
- Surfing: For real surf, head over the hill to Waikawau Bay, a roughly 3 km white-sand surf beach that picks up more swell.
- Fishing & kayaking: Land-based fishing off the rocks and easy kayaking from the beach are both popular.
- Walks & biking: The surrounding hills and reserve land offer bush walks and quiet gravel-road cycling, with the wider Coromandel Forest Park nearby.
Facilities & camping
Facilities at Little Bay are deliberately basic — that’s part of its charm. There’s a public toilet on site and a small carpark, but no shop, café, drinking-water tap or power. Bring everything you need and take all rubbish out with you.
The Little Bay Recreational Reserve allows a small number of self-contained campervans to stay overnight in the carpark, free of charge. Spaces are limited and fill fast over summer and long weekends. Vehicles must be genuinely self-contained (with onboard toilet and grey-water storage). For a fuller campground with more facilities, look at the DOC-managed sites at Waikawau Bay and around the northern Coromandel.
| Option | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Bay Recreational Reserve | Free self-contained camping (carpark) | Few spaces, toilet on site, no power/water |
| Waikawau Bay (DOC) | Conservation campsite, just over the hill | Larger, fees apply, book ahead in summer |
| Private baches / beach houses | Holiday rentals around the bay | Book well ahead for peak season |
Best time to visit & insider tips
- Go midweek or shoulder season (late spring / early autumn) for the quietest experience and the best chance of a carpark space.
- Time your drive for daylight — the gravel road is not somewhere you want to be navigating after dark, especially in the wet.
- Pack like you’re going off-grid: water, food, sunscreen, insect repellent, cash, and a full tank of petrol.
- Check the marine forecast for snorkelling and the swell forecast if you’re chasing surf at Waikawau next door. See our Whangamata weather and tides pages for a regional steer.
- Leave no trace: there are no rubbish bins, so carry everything out and keep this place special.
Combine it with the rest of the Coromandel
Little Bay pairs well with a wider northern Coromandel road trip. Use our Coromandel Peninsula local’s guide to plan the loop, or browse the Coromandel hub for more. Heading further afield, Coromandel Town is your gateway and last-services stop, while the famous east-coast beaches like Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach sit further south. For a full hit list, see our best beaches, walks & attractions guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the road to Little Bay sealed?
No — much of the route north of Colville is unsealed gravel, narrow and winding in places. A standard car can do it carefully in dry conditions, but allow extra time, keep left on blind corners and avoid driving it after dark or in heavy rain.
Can you camp at Little Bay?
Yes, for self-contained campervans only. The Little Bay Recreational Reserve allows a handful of self-contained vehicles to stay overnight in the carpark for free, with a public toilet on site but no power or water. Spaces are very limited in summer. For a larger campsite, try DOC’s Waikawau Bay campground just over the hill.
Is Little Bay good for swimming?
Yes — its sheltered, curved shape makes for relatively calm, clear swimming, and the reefs at each end are good for snorkelling on calm days. It’s unpatrolled, though, so swim within your depth and watch for currents near the rocks.
Where can I get petrol and food near Little Bay?
There are no services at Little Bay itself. Coromandel Town is your last reliable stop for petrol, an ATM, a supermarket and medical supplies; Colville has a small store. Fill up and stock up before heading north.
