Experience Karioitahi before summer slips away
Whether you’ve never been to Karioitahi beach, or it’s been a while, make time to visit before the days shorten and cool off.
Located on the Awhitu Peninsula’s wild and windy west coast, 8km from Waiuku, Karioitahi is renowned for its sparkling wild black volcanic sand, wild waves that demand respect, and sunsets to die for.
In the words of one TripAdvisor reviewer, it’s a ‘‘wild, rugged, massively gorgeous piece of nature’’. Tall, weather-sculpted cliffs rise above the long, surf-fringed beach, accessed by winding your way down through the huge grassy dunes.
According to Wikipedia, Karioitahi and the greater whitu Peninsula were formed ¯ A by the build-up of successive sand dunes over two million years. The trademark black iron oxide sand – titomagnetite – originated from eroded deposits from Mount Taranaki, and deposits from the North Island Volcanic Plateau which flowed along the Waikato River. Freshwater lakes formed behind the beach in the hollows of historic sand dunes, including lakes Otamatearoa, Puketi, Rotoiti and Whatihua.
‘‘Karioitahi’’ was adopted as the area’s official spelling in the 1960s, replacing other variations including Kariotahi, Karioatahi and Kariaotahi.
Karioitahi’s ironsand is magnetic, and a popular destination for sand artists. When you go, take magnets and have a go at creating your own sand art.
The waves can be very strong, so it’s best to swim when the beach is patrolled by the surf club, and stay between the flags.
Karioitahi is popular for surfing, fishing, land yachting, hang gliding, horse riding, quad biking and paragliding.
Vehicles are allowed on the beach, so take care when walking.
Take footwear; the black sand can be searingly hot on a hot day.