Cable Bay

Travel Guide

Cable Bay showing general coastal views and a sandy beach as well as an individual male
Cable Bay showing a park, general coastal views and a beach
Cable Bay showing general coastal views, a bay or harbour and boating
Cable Bay
Cable Bay featuring a beach and general coastal views
Stroll over the pastel-colored sand and swim in the invitingly cool waters of Doubtless Bay at this popular vacation spot in New Zealand’s “Winterless North.”

Take a relaxing break in Cable Bay, one of New Zealand’s best spots for swimming and snorkeling in summer due to the Far North’s subtropical climate. Nicknamed “the Winterless North,” the Northland region has a year-round mild climate, so it’s always a good time to visit.

Enjoy the warm touch of Cable Bay’s almost pink sands as you go for a barefoot stroll along the pristine beach. While you watch surfers navigate the waves between the rocks, the kids can build sand castles or play with others in the children’s playground.

A Cable Station operated on this part of Doubtless Bay from 1902 until 1912, lending its name to this stretch of coastline. The sub-marine telegraph cable spanned 3,458 nautical miles and was referred to as the All-Red Route, linking New Zealand with Australia, Norfolk Island and Canada.

While the building is long gone, you can still marvel about the fact that the morse-coded message reached all the way across the globe to Vancouver in British Columbia.

For even earlier local history, explore the nearby Taumarumaru Reserve run by the Department of Conservation just to the east. The reserve includes three historic Māori pā sites, which were strategically positioned fortified settlements.

Just to the east is Coopers Beach, with a nice swimming beach and a bigger shopping center which hosts a Saturday farmers market.

Cable Bay is some 2 hours northwest of Whangarei and 1.5 hours southeast of Cape Rēinga by car. Other popular sights in the area include Mangonui, with its famous fish shop, and Taipa, which has a Whaling Museum.

A favorite with sun-loving national and international visitors year-round, Cable Bay has many places to stay, but it’s worth making reservations during the festive seasons when vacationing families from the big cities arrive here in droves.

Although small in size, Cable Bay is one of those great beach locations where you feel so removed from everyday life that you could linger forever.

Doubtless Bay Villas
Doubtless Bay Villas
4.5 out of 5
20 Dudley Cresent, Cable Bay
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Cable Bay Beach and Taumarumaru ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (169 reviews)
"Amazing views, great place but no air conditioning, main bed was comfortable with great views but second bedroom was 2 singles put together and very uncomfortable."

Reviewed on 21 Mar, 2025

Doubtless Bay Villas
Golden Sand Beachfront Accommodation
Golden Sand Beachfront Accommodation
4.5 out of 5
327 State Highway 10, Cable Bay
The price is S$220 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
S$220
includes taxes & fees
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury apartment in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Cable Bay Beach and Taumarumaru Recreation ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (92 reviews)
"What a lovely place. Right on the most gorgeous beach. Unfortunately we were there in a storm but were cosy, cosy, cosy inside the beautifully appointed and decorated unit. Was such a gorgeous property - would have loved to have stayed longer. Very handy having kitchen facilities. So stylishly ..."

Reviewed on 9 Apr, 2025

Golden Sand Beachfront Accommodation
Kaitaia Motor Lodge
Kaitaia Motor Lodge
3 out of 5
121 North Road, Kaitaia
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$102 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
S$102
includes taxes & fees
30 Apr - 1 May
Stay at this 3-star motel in Kaitaia. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (287 reviews)
"Really enjoy staying at this motor lodge, hot water is instant, clean, comfortable beds and fairly warm without needing a heater, highly recommended if you are needing a stay in the far far north, plus they supply hand wash, shampoo and body wash"

Reviewed on 14 Apr, 2025

Kaitaia Motor Lodge
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.
Doubtless Bay Villas
Doubtless Bay Villas
4.5 out of 5
20 Dudley Cresent, Cable Bay
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Cable Bay Beach and Taumarumaru ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (169 reviews)
"Amazing views, great place but no air conditioning, main bed was comfortable with great views but second bedroom was 2 singles put together and very uncomfortable."

Reviewed on 21 Mar, 2025

Doubtless Bay Villas
Golden Sand Beachfront Accommodation
Golden Sand Beachfront Accommodation
4.5 out of 5
327 State Highway 10, Cable Bay
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury apartment in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Cable Bay Beach and Taumarumaru Recreation ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (92 reviews)
"What a lovely place. Right on the most gorgeous beach. Unfortunately we were there in a storm but were cosy, cosy, cosy inside the beautifully appointed and decorated unit. Was such a gorgeous property - would have loved to have stayed longer. Very handy having kitchen facilities. So stylishly ..."

Reviewed on 9 Apr, 2025

Golden Sand Beachfront Accommodation
Whitesands
Whitesands
3 out of 5
1 Rangiputa Road, Rangiputa, Karkari Peninsula
Stay at this 3-star beach apartment in Karkari Peninsula. Enjoy free parking, WiFi (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Rangiputa Beach and Puheke ...
8/10 Very Good! (22 reviews)
Worth a stay stunning location
"Booked last minute and the hosts were so accommodating despite having a reunion on, they made us feel so welcome and we will definitely come again."

Reviewed on 11 Nov, 2024

Whitesands
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.