Discover Piha: black sand beach, Lion Rock and waterfall

Piha combines a striking black sand beach with paths through wooded hills and places that play a role in Māori traditions. This offers several ways to plan your trip: time by the sea, a walk to the waterfall, or the distinctive landscapes around the beaches. What interests you can help you decide whether Piha is the right destination for your stay.

Beach and activities by the sea

Piha Beach is a black sand beach and a place to surf. Piha is also considered a popular place to swim. At the beach, you can also sunbathe, picnic or fish. This gives you several different ways to spend time by the sea. Follow the latest safety advice when swimming.

If you are interested in surf lessons, several surf schools in the vicinity of Piha Beach offer lessons for all ages and skill levels. As providers can change, it is best to check in advance which options are currently available. The schools are located near the beach, so plan your visit according to the relevant offering.

To Kitekite Falls and into the hills

The Kitekite Falls Path leads to a 40-metre-high waterfall in about a 30-minute walk. The route includes compacted gravel paths and boardwalks. It offers a specific destination for a walk, while Piha Beach focuses on activities by the sea. After heavy rain, avoid crossing streams on the Kitekite Falls Path and stay on the paths and boardwalks.

The wooded hills around Piha Beach also offer opportunities for hiking and exploring. Wildlife can be observed in the hills behind Piha from paths near the beach. The waterfall path and hills thus reveal different sides of the landscape: one leads to a named destination, while the others invite you to explore and observe nature.

Lion Rock and The Gap

Lion Rock lies between Piha Beach and North Piha Beach and is a striking landmark between the two beaches. To Te Kawerau, Lion Rock was known as Te Piha. The name connects the rock with a distinct cultural tradition of the place.

The Gap is a low-lying spot between Taitomo Island and the cliffs. When the surf is heavy, waves break there. In Māori tradition, The Gap was regarded as the resting place of the famous taniwha Kaiwhare. The landscape and tradition give this place different meanings: its position between the island and cliffs shapes its appearance, while tradition connects it with a story.

At low tide, The Gap can be reached either along the coast or via the Tasman Lookout Track from the southern end of Piha Beach. Tide and surf conditions determine access by these routes. If you plan to visit The Gap, take these conditions into account.

Planning your stay in Piha

The easiest way to get to Piha Beach is by car. When looking for a hotel in Piha, you can first consider which aspects of the destination you want to shape your stay: beach activities, a walk to Kitekite Falls, or exploring the hills and named landmarks. This way, you can choose your destination based on the interests that are actually bringing you to Piha.

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Go to the main travel overview: Auckland.