Mangawhai Heads

Mangawhai
Mangawhai Heads featuring a river or creek
The sun-kissed delights of New Zealand’s Northland come together around this vibrant natural harbor, whether you swim or surf at the Heads or browse the Village.

Mangawhai has an active vibe, with myriad beach and watersports activities, coastal walking tracks, skate parks and playgrounds. If you would rather take it easy, get your culture and foodie fix in the village and then soak up the sunshine along the beaches of the heads.

Mangawhai Heads and the Village of Mangawhai are linked by a causeway across the harbor. On either side you can enjoy the water, the sand dunes, bushlands and native wetlands. Book boat trips to the Mokohinau Islands, Hen and Chicken Islands and Great Barrier Island if you’re a diver.

Marking the harbor's mouth, the Crocodile Rocks are a Mangawhai icon. From the life savers’ surf club and picnic area above, locals and tourists alike watch the surfers outdo each other in the waves. Stroll along the beach and swim in the inviting waters of the South Pacific. Go kayaking in the estuary and harbor, which are subject to tidal movements and provide a good workout. The jetty is perfect to fish from and tackle and bait are sold locally.

Browse the appealing Mangawhai Museum for an introduction to the region. Learn about bygone Māori battles, shipwrecks and gold, the harbor and the plight of the fairy tern. Find these rare birds along the Coastal Track. The partly protected dunes are the nesting grounds of three tern species, banded dotterels and oyster catchers.

TheMangawhai Walking Weekend draws in the crowds in March or April and usually goes hand in hand with the Mangawhai Food & Wine Festival. Taste the Bennetts chocolates, wines and olive oils that are so lovingly produced here. Visit the year-round Village Market on a Saturday morning and the Beach and Country Market in summer. If you play golf, don’t miss the scenic Mangawhai Golf Course.

Mangawhai Heads is about 2 hours north of Auckland and 1 hour south of Whangarei by car. There are plenty of accommodations options in the region.

Visit the Information Centre at the heads for weather and sea reports and other tips for your stay. As they will tell you: you haven’t seen Northland if you haven’t experienced the magic of Mangawhai.


Popular places to visit


Mangawhai Heads Hotel Deals

Camp Waipu Cove
Camp Waipu Cove
4.5 out of 5
869 Cove Road RD2, Waipu
The price is ₩89,376 per night from Jun 25 to Jun 26
₩89,376
per night
Jun 25 - Jun 26
Stay at this 4.5-star beach motel in Waipu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Waipu Cove Beach and Lang's Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (107 reviews)
"Staff were amazing. They went the extra mile to make my stay very comfortable after a long drive."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2024

Camp Waipu Cove
Mangawhai Lodge
Mangawhai Lodge
4 out of 5
4 Heather Street, Mangawhai, Northland
The price is ₩160,539 per night from Jun 30 to Jul 1
₩160,539
per night
Jun 30 - Jul 1
Stay at this 4-star guesthouse in Mangawhai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Mangawhai Museum and Mangawhai Golf ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
"Really lovely large room with sensational balcony and view. Lovely, helpful manager. Amazing breakfasts. Not an en suite bathroom but we were only residents. Love to come back. Hreat walks & surrounds."

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Mangawhai Lodge
Mangawhai Chalets
Mangawhai Chalets
3.5 out of 5
252 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai
Stay at this 3.5-star golf guesthouse in Mangawhai. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Mangawhai Golf Club and Mangawhai Museum ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (176 reviews)
"The property was unique in the way that we felt completely relaxed and comfortable there. The new owners were onsite and very helpful. We even had a choice of pillows. The kitchen pavilion and is for guests to use. It was clean, well equipped and had a lovely area to sit. The chalets are very private ..."

Reviewed on Apr 8, 2024

Mangawhai Chalets
Castle Court Motel
Castle Court Motel
3 out of 5
1643 State Highway 1, Wellsford
The price is ₩97,277 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
₩97,277
per night
Jul 7 - Jul 8
Stay at this 3-star motel in Wellsford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attraction Te Hana Reserve is located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (64 reviews)
"Very clean and comfortable motel we loved it and very friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2024

Castle Court Motel
Mangawhai Retreat Apartments
Mangawhai Retreat Apartments
4.5 out of 5
208 Cames Road, RD5, Mangawhai
The price is ₩120,543 per night from Jun 25 to Jun 26
₩120,543
per night
Jun 25 - Jun 26
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury apartment in Mangawhai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and balconies. Popular attractions Mangawhai Village Market and Mangawhai ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (312 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on May 18, 2024

Mangawhai Retreat Apartments
Aotearoa Surf Eco Pods
Aotearoa Surf Eco Pods
2.5 out of 5
11 Te Arai Point Rd, Te Arai, Northland
The price is ₩142,592 per night from Jun 25 to Jun 26
₩142,592
per night
Jun 25 - Jun 26
Book a stay at this golf guesthouse in Te Arai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free beach shuttle. Popular attractions Mangawhai Village Market and Te ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (10 reviews)
"We stayed in one of the rooms. Beautiful view. Shared toilet and kitchen facilities were very clean. Unique setting."

Reviewed on Dec 11, 2023

Aotearoa Surf Eco Pods
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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