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Discover the Biggest Beach in Christchurch, New Zealand

4 min read January 31, 2024

Christchurch, New Zealand’s largest city on the South Island, boasts a stunning coastline with beautiful beaches. From long stretches of golden sand perfect for swimming, surfing, or relaxing, to hidden coves and dramatic rocky outcrops, Christchurch’s beaches offer something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for a place to swim, surf, build sandcastles, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery, Christchurch’s beaches have something for everyone. With its diverse range of beaches, Christchurch is the perfect place to enjoy a day by the sea.

Top Beach in Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch (; Māori: Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula on Pegasus Bay. The Avon River (Ōtākaro) flows through the centre of the city, with an urban park along its banks. The city's territorial authority population is 396,200 people, and includes a number of smaller urban areas as well as rural areas. The population of the urban area is 384,800 people. Christchurch is the second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand, after Auckland. It is the major urban area of an emerging sub-region known as Greater Christchurch. Notable smaller urban areas within this sub-region include Rangiora and Kaiapoi in Waimakariri District, north of the Waimakariri River, and Rolleston and Lincoln in Selwyn District to the south. The first inhabitants migrated to the area sometime between 1000 and 1250 AD. They hunted moa, which led to the birds' extinction by 1450, and destroyed much of the mataī and tōtara forest. The first iwi to settle the area that would later become known as Christchurch were the Waitaha, who migrated to the area in the 16th century. They were followed later by the Kāti Māmoe, who conquered the Waitaha. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Ngāi Tahu migrated to the area and subjugated the Kāti Māmoe. Over time the Ngāi Tahu tribe would develop a large pā based around Kaiapoi, which was a major centre for the trade of pounamu.Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand. The Canterbury Association, which settled the Canterbury Plains, named the city after Christ Church, Oxford. The new settlement was laid out in a grid pattern centred on Cathedral Square; during the 19th century there were few barriers to the rapid growth of the urban area, except for the Pacific to the east and the Port Hills to the south. Agriculture is the historic mainstay of Christchurch's economy. The early presence of the University of Canterbury and the heritage of the city's academic institutions in association with local businesses has fostered a number of technology-based industries. Christchurch is one of five Antarctic gateway cities, hosting Antarctic support bases for several nations.The city suffered a series of earthquakes between September 2010 and January 2012, with the most destructive occurring at 12.51 p.m. on 22 February 2011, in which 185 people were killed and thousands of buildings across the city suffered severe damage, with a few central city buildings collapsing. By late 2013, 1,500 buildings in the city had been demolished, leading to ongoing recovery and rebuilding projects. The city later became the site of a terrorist attack targeting two mosques on 15 March 2019, in which 51 people were killed, and which was described by the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, as "one of New Zealand's darkest days".

Top Beach in Christchurch, New Zealand

New Brighton Pier

  • Address: Brighton Mall, New Brighton, Christchurch 8061, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (2681)
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: Open 24 hours
    Tuesday: Open 24 hours
    Wednesday: Open 24 hours
    Thursday: Open 24 hours
    Friday: Open 24 hours
    Saturday: Open 24 hours
    Sunday: Open 24 hours
South New Brighton Beach Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
South New Brighton Beach Park in Christchurch, New Zealand

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Embark on a thrilling journey through the diverse array of Beach in cities like Wellington, Auckland and Wodonga across the Oceania continents, revealing hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a local business or a multinational company, these cities proudly display a rich tapestry of profesional services designed to cater to a wide array of preferences.

The 10 Best Beach near Christchurch, New Zealand

South New Brighton Beach Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
South New Brighton Beach Park in Christchurch, New Zealand

Sumner Beach

  • Address: Sumner Beach, Canterbury 8081, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (497)
  • Reviews:
    Liễu Trần✭✭✭✭✭
    a month ago
    Sumner Beach is located south of Christchurch, on the shores of Pegasus Bay. This beach is famous for its fine white sand, clear blue water and majestic cliffs.

    Sumner Beach is an ideal destination for those who love the sea and nature. This beach is about 1.2 km long, with fine white sand and clear blue water. The sea water here is relatively warm, suitable for swimming, sunbathing and other recreational activities.

    One of the highlights of Sumner Beach is the Cave Rock cliff. This cliff is about 30 m high, shaped like a cave. Cave Rock is an ideal location to watch the ocean and sunset.

    In addition, Sumner Beach also has many amenities for visitors, including parking, restrooms, BBQ areas,… Here, visitors can also find many restaurants, cafes and souvenir store.

    Below are some suggestions for activities that visitors can participate in when coming to Sumner Beach:

    Swimming, sunbathing Walk on the beach Admire the Cave Rock cliffs Sunbathing on Cave Rock cliffs Scuba diving, snorkeling Kayaking Long walk

    Pratish Raj✭✭✭✭✭
    5 months ago
    Nice place to relax and just be. Special any time of the day. Sunsets are best. Night walks on the boardwalk also very nice. Usually windy and and cold (like any other Beach ☺️) so take a light jacket with you.
    Mark McNees✭✭✭✭✭
    3 weeks ago
    A cute little town with a nice beach, super close to ChCh. Highly recommend going to Bonobo Cafe. Super great service and the carrot cake is amazing.
    S S✭✭✭✭✭
    7 months ago
    The local beach is a serene and picturesque destination that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The breathtaking scenery, with its clean sands and crystal-clear waters, creates a postcard-worthy backdrop for relaxation. The gentle sound of crashing waves and the warm sea breeze add to the soothing atmosphere. However, during peak times such as sunny weekends, it can get a bit crowded, which may diminish the sense of serenity. Despite this occasional drawback, the beach remains a beloved spot for surfing, fishing, swimming, and enjoying lazy picnics with friends and family. Love it that it is so close to many restaurants and local shops as well.
    Ravi Lal✭✭✭✭
    8 months ago
    Beautiful Beach when the sun is out and not too windy. We went on a Monday and there were a lot of people loathing around for some good sun and fun. We went for a walk to the clock tower and back. When it is very windy, the sand is on your face. We saw the public walking their dogs along this sandy beach. You do not have to pay to visit this beach but finding a car park would be challenging.

Scarborough Beach

  • Address: Sumner, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (483)
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Sumner Beach Park

  • Address: Clifton, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (410)

New Brighton Beach

  • Address: Marine Parade, New Brighton, Christchurch 8061, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (180)

North Beach

  • Address: Marine Parade, North New Brighton, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (173)

New Brighton Beach Bench

  • Address: New Brighton, Christchurch 8061, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (171)

Waimairi Beach Park

  • Address: Waimairi Beach Park 1 Beach Road, Waimairi Beach, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (134)
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South New Brighton Beach Park

  • Address: South New Brighton, Christchurch 8062, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (110)

New Brighton Beach

  • Address: New Brighton Beach, Canterbury, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (95)

Broad Park

  • Address: Waimairi Beach, Christchurch 8083, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (72)

Thank you for reading! If you have any additional information on the best Beach in Christchurch, New Zealand, please leave a comment above. We would love to hear from you!

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Syarif Muhamad

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5 Replies to Discover the Biggest Beach in Christchurch, New Zealand

  1. One of the most beautiful & large beaches that I have visited. A great place to watch the wave and the sun rise & sun set. A good place to take photos . There’s a library, a restaurant and a kids playground link together to the pier. Wish I could stay here longer!

    Reply

  2. New Brighton Pier Beach is a fantastic spot for a relaxing day out. The beach itself is clean and stretches out for a lovely, long walk. The pier adds a unique charm, offering stunning views and a great place for a leisurely stroll. It’s perfect for families, with enough space for kids to play and for others to just soak up the sun. Whether it’s for a swim, a picnic, or just to watch the sunset, this beach is a must-visit. A true gem that captures the essence of a peaceful seaside experience!

    Reply

  3. very nice place, has a playground for children, lots of cool places to take photos and also for those who like fishing there is a place to cast bait and clean fish, great place to spend a sunny afternoon with family and friends, there is a swimming pool next door It’s worth going.

    Reply

  4. New Brighton Pier allows fishing from Mon-Sat, and is an iconic part of New Brighton. The beach itself goes on for miles, and has plenty of wildlife to offer. We spotted a seal pup and a whale on our visit, so be sure to keep an eye out!
    Wandering the sand dunes among the flowering plants is a lovely thing to do in the evenings while the sun sets. The beach itself is soft and sandy, but can get pretty windy at times.

    Reply

  5. Attached to the beach, this pier is a great place to go for a stroll down to the end where you are actually on top of the beach and take pictures, videos and panoramic views of the beach and surrounding areas.
    Be prepared to take a jacket with you as it gets very windy in the evening even when the weather was warm during the day.
    However, it is worth it to venture to the pier and take amazing pictures.

    Reply

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