Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → West Coast → Gibsons Beach Walk

Location: Cape Foulwind, West Coast, New Zealand

Time Required: ~1 hour

Distance: 2 km/1.2 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain: A handful of steps on the access trail to the beach

Red Tape/Notes: Mid-tide or lower (best at low tide).

What’s Nearby?: Punakaiki Cavern, Pororari River Beach Outlet, Truman Track, Maori Sea Cave, Ballroom Overhang, Fox River Cave, Maruia Falls

Gibsons Beach is a surprising little gem at Cape Foulwind. Instead of visiting the uninspiring lighthouse here, come around low tide and take the track down to Gibsons Beach. From here, rock hop across the sloping tidal shelves, making a beeline for the sweet sea cave openings in the rock you can see at the edge of the beach. At low tide you can pass through the tunnel without even getting your feet wet, and you’ll pop out on a little secret beach. Across this beach and around the corner is another great little beach with some narrow sea caves, soaring limestone cliffs, and a nice little waterfall. There are lots of fun spots to find here, just wander around and explore. Although if you’re like us and you linger too long, you may have to do some creative moves to avoid getting wet on the way back out.

Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → West Coast → Gibsons Beach Walk