Cable Bay Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cable Bay which includes a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as an individual male
Cable Bay featuring a park, general coastal views and a beach
Cable Bay featuring a bay or harbour, general coastal views and boating
Cable Bay
Cable Bay showing general coastal views and a beach

Stroll over the pastel-colored sand and swim in the invitingly cool waters of Doubtless Bay at this popular holiday 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.

Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay
Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay
Cable Bay
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions Taumarumaru Recreation Reserve ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (92 reviews)
Beautiful place
"Loved our stay, was big enough for the family. Kids enjoyed playing pool. Stunning views."

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay
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! (173 reviews)
"We had a quiet, lovely stay with an amazing view at doubtless bay villa. Extremely peaceful, and almost surreal."

Reviewed on 7 May 2025

Doubtless Bay Villas
Tirohanga - Beach house @ Cable Bay
Tirohanga - Beach house @ Cable Bay
Cable Bay
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Cable Bay. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Taumarumaru Recreation Reserve ...
"Loved the view and the unique layout of the property. Was perfect for a quick getaway. Close to shops and beaches, short drive to restaurants and coffee in Mangonui. Enjoyed our stay thoroughly!"

Reviewed on 24 Oct. 2024

Tirohanga - Beach house @ Cable Bay
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.
Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay
Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay
Cable Bay
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions Taumarumaru Recreation Reserve ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (92 reviews)
Beautiful place
"Loved our stay, was big enough for the family. Kids enjoyed playing pool. Stunning views."

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay
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! (173 reviews)
"We had a quiet, lovely stay with an amazing view at doubtless bay villa. Extremely peaceful, and almost surreal."

Reviewed on 7 May 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! (97 reviews)
"Great stay, loved how close the property was to the beach. Parking was really easy being right next to it. The unit was comfortable and tidy. Could do with a few more pots, and the blinds cleaning in the main bedroom as there is mould on the inside. Overall great stay, would come back again"

Reviewed on 8 Jun. 2025

Golden Sand Beachfront Accommodation
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.

Reviews of Cable Bay

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
9
5 - Excellent 82%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 18%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

This area is always a great place to return to

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Little piece of paradise

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great place to stay as easy driving distance to shops and restaurants and lots of lovely bays in the region. It is also a pretty bay itself and nice for evening walks or longer walks during the day.

Cities near Cable Bay