Ruapuke Beach
A remote black-sand beach south of Mount Karioi, stretching for kilometres with few people. Good for walks, sea views and horse riding.
Ruapuke Beach lies on the southern side of Mount Karioi, about 40 minutes' drive from Raglan along a gravel road. It is an almost undeveloped beach of black volcanic sand. At its northern end are rocky headlands and a river mouth, and the scenery is wild and expansive. On clear days you can see the coastline toward Taranaki. There are no lifeguards, and waves and rip currents are strong, so swimming is not recommended. It's ideal for walking, fishing and photography, and nearby farms offer beach horse rides. Combine it with Bridal Veil Falls and Mount Karioi for a scenic self-drive loop.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Mount Karioi
- Whale Bay & Indicators
- Manu Bay
- Raglan & Ngarunui Beach
- Bridal Veil Falls (Wairēinga)
- Kopua Footbridge (Raglan Footbridge)
- Raglan Town & Bow Street
- Raglan Wharf