A natural hot spot that draws visitors armed with shovels to dig their own spa and enjoy hot water bubbling through the sand.

Hot Water beach is a glorious stretch of golden sand situated in the Coromandel Peninsula. Looking out to the pacific ocean, with Pohutukawa trees lining the cliffs, this much photographed beach is situated between Whitianga and Tairua.

There are two springs known as 'Orua' and 'Maori'. The northern spring has a maximum temperature of 64°C. The second spring 20 metres further south, reaches 60°C. The spring bubbling is not caused by boiling water but by the release of carbon-dioxide gas.

Two hours either side of low tide, visitors descend on the usually quiet beach, armed with shovels to create their own private spa complete with stunning views while a stream provides a warm and comforting blanket. This is all thanks to a river of hot water that flows from earth's interior to this picturesque part of the Pacific Ocean.

Parking, a general store and accommodation options are all located by the beach.