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The 2026 Best Beach competition has wrapped up, with Ōrewa securing second place for Best City Beach for the second consecutive year, just behind Bay of Plenty favourite Mount Maunganui, with Tāhunanui in Nelson third.
Although the official results place Ōrewa in the runner-up spot, for Coasties, it will always be number one.
Ōrewa Beach is more than just sand and sea. It sits at the heart of a town with shops, cafés and restaurants just a short walk from the shoreline. For many locals, that convenience turns the beach into part of daily life rather than a special-occasion destination. A morning coffee becomes a beach walk, and popping out to run an errand becomes a chance to stretch your legs along the waterfront.
The Te Ara Tahuna Estuary Cycleway and Walkway draws walkers and cyclists from Millwater and Silverdale into the heart of Ōrewa, linking neighbourhoods with a safe, scenic route. Starting and finishing near the Western Reserve carpark on Hibiscus Coast Highway, the pathway is used by commuters, dog walkers, runners and families pushing prams. It has become one of the area’s most popular ways to build activity into daily routines.
On the beachfront itself, free-to-use facilities encourage people to move. Volleyball nets, a basketball court and outdoor gym equipment sit alongside the sand. For those who prefer structured activity, Ōrewa Beach Reserve hosts a continual stream of fitness classes, from early morning boot camps and surf lifesaving training to running clubs and yoga sessions later in the day. The open setting makes exercise feel social rather than chore-like. Health practitioners say time spent outdoors, particularly by the ocean, can help calm the nervous system as walking on the beach can relieve stress and the sunshine helps our bodies synthesise Vitamin D. Feeling the sand on bare feet may also create a sense of feeling grounded.
Paula Cumboa from Milldale says she often sits on the bench between the beach and the playground, where she can enjoy the ocean view while keeping an eye on her child. The wooden benches along the grass banks offer a breezy, sand-free place to pause, turning the beachfront into a space where families can relax while still staying active.
Jason Smith from Silverdale uses his lunch breaks from a desk-based job to walk along the beach when the sun is shining. With the long stretch of sand free of sharp shells or rocks, the walk offers a gentle balance of movement, fresh air and mental reset, he says. With shops and parking nearby, Ōrewa Beach fits easily into everyday schedules, a quick stop on the way to the supermarket or a casual meet-up with friends.
Lifeguards from Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club patrol the beach during the season, encouraging swimmers to stay between the flags and giving families confidence to enjoy the water. For many, knowing trained lifeguards are on watch removes a barrier to getting in the sea, while the clubhouse is an important community hub for surf lifesaving and swimming training.
Although treasured by locals, Ōrewa Beach also draws visitors from across the country and international travellers. But for those who live nearby, its real value is not in ranking, but in the daily routines it supports – a morning walk, a lunchtime circuit, an after-school playground stop, or an evening picnic on the grass. For Coast residents, Ōrewa Beach is not second place at all. It is the backdrop to healthier habits, stronger community connections and a well-rounded lifestyle.
