How long is New Zealand's famous Ninety Mile Beach?

New Zealand’s famous Ninety Mile Beach is about 55 miles long, not 90 miles.

The beach, officially known by its Māori name Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē, runs along the western coast of the Aupōuri Peninsula in Northland. Its length is commonly given as approximately 88 kilometres, or roughly 55 miles, although measurements may vary slightly depending on where the beach’s endpoints are defined.

The name “Ninety Mile Beach” is a historic misnomer. One popular explanation says early missionaries estimated the distance by assuming a horse could travel about 30 miles per day, then multiplying that figure by the roughly three days needed to cross the sand. Historians note that the name’s exact origin is uncertain.

The broad, firm sand has traditionally functioned as a public road, but driving is hazardous because tides, soft patches and shifting channels can trap vehicles. The beach is also associated with giant sand dunes, surf fishing and access to the Far North, including routes toward Cape Reinga.