Whiritoa
Whiritoa | |
|---|---|
Whiritoa Beach | |
| Coordinates: 37°16′58″S 175°54′03″E / 37.28278°S 175.90083°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato region |
| District | Hauraki District |
| Ward | Waihi Ward |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Hauraki District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Thames-Coromandel | Len Salt |
| • Coromandel MP | Scott Simpson |
| • Hauraki-Waikato MP | Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.91 km2 (0.35 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024) | |
• Total | 280 |
| • Density | 310/km2 (800/sq mi) |
Whiritoa is a small beach town on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand between Whangamatā and Waihi Beach. It has a permanent population in the low hundreds, which swells to over a thousand during the New Year holiday period.
It has a convenience store, a library and a volunteer fire department. The local Surf lifesaving club has a close relationship with the community of regularly holidaying families.
At the north end of the 1.5 km beach is a small lagoon and past this is a short walk to Waimama bay. The lagoon has a cycle of being blocked by sand then being dug out by the council digger or enthusiastic members of the public. At the south end a short bush walk crosses through privately owned land to a blowhole.
The beach itself is popular for surfers as it often features a roaming sandbar or two. The shore is often quite steep meaning the waves are sometimes breaking directly on the sand making it difficult for casual swimmers.