Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All New Zealand Hot Water Beach Hot Water Beach

Hot Water Beach

Handcrafted thermal spa washes away each night with the tide.

Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

Added By
Alex Timian
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
(Flickr/Eliduke)   http://www.flickr.com/photos/elisfanclub/6...
(Flickr/Frischifresh)   http://www.flickr.com/photos/frischi/47110...
(Flickr/Dooooogie)   http://www.flickr.com/photos/61939480@N00/...
beach photo - 2009   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The average hot tub costs a couple thousand dollars, but Hot Water Beach allows people to carve their own thermal hot tub right on the beach in New Zealand.

With just a few thrusts of a shovel, beach-goers can watch a slow gurgle of warm, geothermal water rise from below the sand to gently fill a personal spa-like pool. In peak season, hundreds take to the beach with their bucket and trowel, digging pools just big enough to lay out in the water, which can reach temperatures of 147 degrees Fahrenheit. Those who forget a spade still can't be dismayed, as the local surf shop rents out digging tools for hot-tub creation.

Despite the comfort of the beach side spa, visitors must be careful not to venture too close to the water past low tide, as the breaking waves and rip currents near the beach have a notorious and dangerous track record. Unfortunately for beach-goers, their hard work creating the perfect shoreline hot tub is all for naught as high tide comes in and washes down the walls of their personal tubs.

Related Tags

Natural Wonders Water Geological Oddities Beaches Geology Nature
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Wild New Zealand: Exploring the North & South Islands

Stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and rich Māori culture.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

atimian

Edited By

ahvenas, Blindcolour, Gavin

  • ahvenas
  • Blindcolour
  • Gavin

Published

January 25, 2012

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Hot Water Beach
Coromandel Peninsula
Hot Water Beach, 3591
New Zealand
-36.887207, 175.823702
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Waterworks

Waiau, New Zealand

miles away

Driving Creek Railway

Coromandel, New Zealand

miles away

Stony Batter Historic Reserve

Auckland, New Zealand

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Zealand

New Zealand

Oceania

Places 141
Stories 44

Nearby Places

The Waterworks

Waiau, New Zealand

miles away

Driving Creek Railway

Coromandel, New Zealand

miles away

Stony Batter Historic Reserve

Auckland, New Zealand

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Zealand

New Zealand

Oceania

Places 141
Stories 44

Related Places

  • Tiznit Province, Morocco

    Legzira Beach

    Rocky Atlantic beach home to a stunning stone arch.

  • East Sussex, England

    Beachy Head

    England's most notorious suicide spot.

  • Bonhomme de Bourail

    Bourail, New Caledonia

    Bonhomme de Bourail

    A beachside monolith shaped by years of waves crashing against hard quartz.

  • The salt lake becomes colorful in warm temperatures because of algae growth

    Yuncheng, China

    Yuncheng Salt Lake

    Rainbow-hued in the summer and crystalline in the winter, this salty lake has inspired battles, temples, and plenty of awe.

  • Lake Posta Fibreno

    Carpello, Italy

    Lake Posta Fibreno

    This serene, turquoise lake in an extraordinary nature reserve showcases a rare natural phenomenon.

  • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

    Keahole Point Blowhole

    This unusual lava tube spouts seawater during high surf.

  • The ghost forest in the fog.

    Neskowin, Oregon

    Neskowin Ghost Forest

    The eerie remnants of an ancient forest were hidden under the sand for centuries.

  • Hengifoss.

    Iceland

    Hengifoss

    The bright red stripes streaking across the rocks are the star feature at this Icelandic waterfall.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.