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Best beaches in Stewart Island / Rakiura, New Zealand 2026 — OBI Ranked | OnlyBeaches

Should I Go?Explore Reels Beaches Plan Rankings Events Report 2026 Blue Flag Journal

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Stewart Island / Rakiura

New Zealand · Southland

Best beaches in Stewart Island / Rakiura

15 ranked beaches in Stewart Island / Rakiura, Southland

Ranked by the OnlyBeaches Index (OBI) — a 1-10 score blending water purity, conditions, crowd levels and vibe. Updated every 30 minutes.

All beaches in Stewart Island / Rakiura

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32,000+ beaches scored live by ocean data — every wave, every weekend.

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Boulder Beach

Rocky Rakiura beach with a more rugged feel than the sheltered village beaches.

7.0

Bragg Bay Beach

Small quiet bay near Horseshoe Bay that many visitors pass without naming.

7.0

Bungaree Beach

Quiet northern Rakiura shoreline stop with heritage and track-based discovery appeal.

7.0

Butterfield Beach

Scenic beach on the Horseshoe Point route with a quieter feel than Oban’s main bays.

7.0

Dead Man Beach

Dramatic named cove on the Horseshoe Point track, valued by walkers and photographers.

7.0

Doughboy Bay Beach

Remote southern Rakiura beach prized by trampers for its wild isolation.

7.0

Lee Bay Beach

Gateway beach near the Rakiura Track entrance with forested shore and clear water.

7.0

Little Glory Cove

Remote Paterson Inlet cove beach suited to boat-based discovery and quiet nature stops.

7.0

Little Hellfire Beach

Remote northwest Stewart Island beach with strong wilderness and tramping value.

7.0

Māori Beach

Beautiful Rakiura Track beach with wilderness history and a remote golden-sand feel.

7.0

Mason Bay Beach

Legendary remote Rakiura beach with sweeping sand, dunes and wilderness appeal.

7.0

Port William Beach

Sheltered northern Stewart Island beach reached by track or boat in a classic Rakiura bay.

7.0

Smoky Beach

Remote sand beach on the Northwest Circuit, rarely captured in generic beach lists.

7.0

Watercress Beach

Low-key Oban-area beach useful for quiet shoreline exploring away from the main bay.

7.0

West Ruggedy Beach

Rugged backcountry beach on Stewart Island’s northwest coast with serious off-grid appeal.

7.0

What makes Stewart Island / Rakiura's beaches stand out?

Stewart Island / Rakiura sits in Southland, New Zealand and is home to 15 ranked beaches on OnlyBeaches. Every beach here is scored by the OnlyBeaches Index — a 1-10 metric blending water purity, live conditions (waves, water temperature, wind), crowd intelligence and vibe.

Whether you're after the highest-scoring beach in Stewart Island / Rakiura or a quieter hidden cove, the list above is refreshed every 30 minutes using live Stormglass and OpenWeather data.