Picture the perfect day with your pup and we bet it includes a trip to the beach. There’s no better way to spend time with your best mate.
We’ve compiled a list of the best dog-friendly beaches across Aotearoa New Zealand where you can happily chill and achieve level 10 walkies at the same time.
Ruakaka Beach
Whangarei
Golden sands and high-vis waters Ruakaka Beach is the best place to exercise your dog in Northland. Open all year round between Mair Road and Karawai Street this makes for easily accessible pup exercising.
There are also many pet-friendly Ruakaka beach holiday homes nearby, which makes for a fantastic getaway.
Takapuna Beach
Auckland
We can’t talk about pet-friendly beaches without mentioning Auckland's Takapuna, arguably one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Tamaki Makaurau.
With off-leash hours after 5 p.m. and before 10 a.m. in the summer, you can catch the sunrise and golden hour in the afternoon for some vibey Instagram stories.
Nearby is the Takapuna Beach Cafe which is a great spot to grab a coffee or even a cheeky treat for yourself and your fluffy friend if they are lucky.
Mataitai Beach
Auckland
Mataitai Beach is calm with shallow waters which makes it a fantastic spot to wade around with your dog, it has an incredible view with granite boulders stretching as far as the eye can see which makes for the perfect backdrop.
Dogs are allowed off-leash all summer long which makes it a great candidate.
Papamoa Beach
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty is known for its beaches and sun but it’s hard to find a better spot to exercise your dog than Papamoa Beach.
From south of Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) to Papamoa East, you and your pup are free to walk and head in for a cheeky swim if that’s your vibe. Open all year round which is a bonus!
Lyall Beach
Wellington
This once-sand dune is now a popular spot with an off-leash dog exercise area available all day, Lyall Beach is a great area for your pooch to socialise and make friends with other dogs. A few vibey cafes are nearby and head along Lyall Bay Walk for a cruisey stroll around the bay.
Remember there are a couple of restrictions as dogs are not permitted on the playground or the steps to the seawall.
Paton’s Rock Beach
Nelson
As we head across the strait, Paton’s Rock Beach in Golden Bay is a wide and tranquil area backed by a lovely picnic spot is a great place for you and your dog.
A safe, shallow beach with spectacular views makes it a popular spot for other avid dog walkers. Check out pet-friendly hotels and restaurants nearby for the ultimate day trip
Waimairi Beach
Christchurch
Waimairi Beach is a popular spot for both locals and visitors, it is a nice quiet walk on mostly flat terrain and easy sand with gorgeous views.
It is safe for swimming and a great place for dog walking, the beach is close to Bottle Lake Forest Park which is a great trail for both you and your hound, it is where you will need to be between November 1st - March 31st as dogs are prohibited on the beach itself. None-the-less it's still a great place to chill with your pup.
Lake Tekapo
Tekapo
Lake Tekapo in the legendary Mackenzie country is a breathtaking place to take your dog, surrounded by stunning scenery and clear waters there is no better place to exercise your pup in the deep south.
With heaps of walking and cycling tracks nearby, it’s pretty impossible for you and your mate to get bored. 10/10 would recommend.
Brighton Beach
Dunedin
Brighton Beach is a great spot in the Deep South for both you and your furry friend to cool off.
This long beach with great views is great for dog walking and has a large off-leash area, they are allowed off-leash between Big Stone Road and Mcintosh Road. Brighton Beach presents a perfect selection of natural environments to exercise your mate.
After more Auckland-based dog walk recs? Here are the best dog-friendly beaches in Auckland.
Image credit: Supplied, Datingscout, Gillian Rose, Guillaume Lebelt, Hiu Yan Chelsia Choi, Sebastien Goldberg