Scotts Beach, Sandy beach in Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand.

Scotts Beach is a one-kilometer sandy shore within Kahurangi National Park, nestled between steep cliffs covered with dense rainforest. The sand stretches between these natural barriers, with nikau palms and rata trees growing down to the waterline.

The beach formed part of an ancient route connecting the West Coast to Golden Bay that Maori established centuries ago. Today this path is hiked as the Heaphy Track.

The area served as a vital passage for Maori travelers historically, and this connection remains visible in how the landscape shapes the main walking routes today.

The water here is unsafe for swimming due to strong currents and undertows, so caution is needed near the shore. Bring insect repellent to protect yourself from sandflies, which are common in this coastal rainforest area.

The track from the Kohaihai road end climbs the Kohaihai bluff to a saddle about 100 m above sea level before dropping to the sand, roughly 3 km from the car park. Stands of nikau palms line this inland section, and a small campsite sits at the beach itself.