Te Pukatea Beach

Tē Pukatea has no road access whatsoever — reach it by water taxi or ferry from Kaiteriteri to Anchorage (a journey of around 65 minutes, seasonal service), then follow the side track from Anchorage Beach for approximately 20 minutes on foot. Alternatively, if you're already staying at Anchorage, the track is a short daily walk from camp. If you're coming from further afield, the nearest practical starting points are Kaiteriteri or Marahau — both offer water taxi services into the park. There is no parking at the beach itself, and no road leads anywhere near it.

From Tē Pukatea, the short walk to Pitt Head (0.4km) rewards you with elevated views over the surrounding coastline and is a natural extension of your visit. Anchorage Beach, just 0.3km away, is the most-visited overnight stop on the Abel Tasman Coast Track and worth exploring before or after your time at the cove. Further along the track, Torrent Bay — a tidal estuary bay with a private bach settlement — sits about 3km away and gives a flavour of the quieter, lived-in side of the park. A cave at 2.5km adds an easy half-day objective if you want to stretch your legs.

There are no cafés, kiosks, or restaurants at Tē Pukatea or within reach of the cove — this is a national park beach, and you'll need to bring everything you plan to eat and drink. Pack a proper lunch, plenty of water, and any snacks before you board the ferry at Kaiteriteri or Marahau, where services are available.

The Anchorage Hut, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 87 reviews, sits just 0.7km from the cove and is the most comfortable base for an overnight stay in this part of the park. The Anchorage Campsite, also 0.7km away and rated 4.6 out of 5 from 82 reviews, is a solid option if you prefer sleeping under canvas with the sound of the bush around you. Book both well in advance for the December–March peak season.

The granite rock edges at either side of the cove make strong foreground anchors — shoot across the golden sand toward the overhanging trees in the soft morning light for the cleanest, shadow-free frames. Midday light on the crystal-clear water picks up the colour and transparency of the shallows beautifully, especially when the cove is at its quietest.

Sandflies become active at dusk, so cover up or move on before the light fades — they're persistent and the bites linger. Dogs are strictly prohibited throughout Abel Tasman National Park, so leave them at home. No fires are permitted anywhere in the park, and you must pack out all rubbish — there are no bins on the beach. True digital-detox spot — bring offline books, the cell signal fades and there's nowhere to plug in a laptop.