Hokitika is the only town centre on the West Coast located by the beach. And what a beach it is! Rough, strewn with driftwood and boasting beautiful sunsets and views.
Browse the listings below to learn more about Hokitika Beach.
Every spring on the West Coast the spawning native trout rush from the ocean back into the West Coast river systems. They are met by throngs of people who stand ready to catch as many ‘shoals’ as possible over the two months of the whitebait season. You can walk along the river banks close to the ocean and discover for yourself what the whitebait means to the local residents. It’s a little like gold fever when the whitebait is "running". Get a taste for it yourself at the many cafes in town.
A fun annual event on the beach to celebrate Christmas. Features food, family fun, games and live music. The big bearded fella Santa will call in for a lollie scramble and some photos too.
An annual fishing competition. Fish anywhere on the West Coast with spot prizes and heaviest fish prize to be won. The weigh in is at 6pm 20th Jan at the Kaniere Empire Hotel. Entry is Kids $5, Adults $15 and can be gotten at Wild Outdoorsman and Kaniere Empire Hotel in Hokitika and Fishing & Firearms Greymouth. More information here.
"Driftwood and Sand" for short, is a summer celebration of art on the Hokitika beach. Held annually in late January, participants are invited to express themselves using any materials they find on the beach. And the beach provides some amazing raw materials. The sculpture competition is judged at the end of the festival week and the sculptures are left for all to enjoy until the sea reclaims them. www.driftwoodandsand.co.nz.
For over 25 years, teams have gotten their best golf clubs out to test their skills along the Hokitika Beach. Often in fancy dress, teams are tested with many sand traps, variable weather and an occassional exciting crossing of the Hokitika River mouth. Prizes and BBQ are the reward at the end of this unique golf event.
EASY Access: Readily accessible from Beach St, via Weld Lane, Sunset Point Rd & several other access roads (see map). Features: Wonderful wild beach, black sand & pebbles (including pounamu-jade), driftwood, mountain views, sunsets, sunrise, & starry nights. Walks, picnicking, fossicking for pebbles & driftwood, sandcastles, swimming (for the experienced only), surfing, & surfcasting. Keep your eyes open for the Little Blue Penguin but please respect their space!
EASY Time: 5 minutes walk from town centre. Access: By foot, along beach, beach track, or Quayside section of Heritage Walk. By road via Sunset Point Rd. Features: Sunsets, sunrises & starry nights. Hokitika rivermouth & beach. Views of Aoraki Mount Cook & Tasman (Horo Kawau). Tambo ‘shipwreck’. Information panels. Walks, picnicing, beach fossicking, fishing, & whitebaiting.
Off Beach Street along the beach frontage there are several picnic tables, toilets and of course, the ubiquitous seagull! A perfect place to enjoy hot fish and chips while enjoying the sea air and view.