New Zealand through the eyes of a Brit – Part 5: Beaches that beat Southend

If you think you’ve already found the world’s best beaches (probably not Southend), New Zealand has them beat according to our guest blogger Sam the Brit. Here’s his best advice for enjoying the surf and sand of the Kiwi coastline.

I know what you’re thinking, you’ve been to Southend, thrown up on one of the many beaches in the Costa del Sol, partied on beaches all over Southeast Asia, how can things get better? Well I think NZ might just have the edge.

East coast beach
New Zealand has some of the best beaches in the world

New Zealand has them in abundance in different sizes, shapes, sands and sea. East Coast golden sandy beaches for a swim, West Coast black sand ruggedness for a battle and a bit of a surf.

Raglan surfers
Lie in the sun or ride the waves

The first rule you should try to follow is that swimwear is for the beach. If you’re not on the beach, then you’re in your underwear. New Zealanders have a saying: “Tog, togs, togs…undies!” and someone might scream “Undies!” at you if you’ve wandered off and can no longer see the ocean.

The second rule, WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!!!!!!!!

British sunburn

As Brits we get burnt wherever we go in the world and no holiday would be complete without getting back home with vest marks that make it look like you’re still wearing one. However, getting burnt in New Zealand is a little different. In 15 minutes you can go from pasty and pale to red and sore. Here you don’t burn – you cook, sizzle and fry as if you’d been burnt by the fires of Mordor.

Now Kiwis use this as a way of telling where you are from and can spot a Brit, or POME (Prisoner of Mother England), a mile off by their glowing red face and burn lines which are just waiting to be slapped! So before you venture out and about slap some on sunscreen…factor 50 should do at first.

Next week – I warn you about attempting to drive in New Zealand.

Sam profile picGuest blogger Sam Berwick recently arrived in New Zealand from London. As a Brit in the ‘land of the long white cloud’ for the first time, he now describes Kiwi culture as “funny, strange and down right crazy” and that’s after only a few months! In this blog series, Sam’s shares his unedited thoughts, observations and advice as a Kiwi culture survival guide for all visitors.

Stray guest writer profile picture

Travel Mate (guest blogger)

Have you travelled on a Stray tour in New Zealand, Australia or Asia? How about creating a blog post about your experience? Or are you a frequent traveller and want to add your travel knowledge to our travel blog? Get in touch. We welcome relevant guest posts.

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New Zealand is a tiny country that packs a scenic punch! Explore New Zealand the 'Stray' way - getting further off the beaten track, seeking out one-of-a-kind experiences and meeting a bunch of epic fellow adventurers.
All tours are Stray Journey small group tours!

Wanderlust - See it All in NZ

24 days - starts & ends in Auckland

On this trip, you get the best combination of nature, relaxation, beautiful scenery and adrenaline. In 24 days, you will experience beautiful nature consisting of rainforests, mountains and volcanoes.

Takahe - South Island Tour

11 days - starts & ends in Christchurch

From the golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park to the West Coast’s glaciers and rainforests, the party and adventure capital of Queenstown, to the “Roof of Aotearoa” Mt Cook National Park.

Ruru - All of NZ Tour

18 days - starts in Auckland, ends in Christchurch

Hike some of New Zealand’s best tracks, kayak at sunrise, taste a delicious traditional hangi meal, bathe in a hot thermal stream surrounded by native bush.

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