See the unexpected beach named the 'best in the world' - and it's just a short flight from Australia A rugged and dramatic beach with an iconic rock formation Has black magnetic sands from volcanos and a famous surf break Only 45 minutes drive from Auckland city READ MORE: New Zealand's best beaches By Amanda Bechara For Daily Mail Australia Published: 21:52 EDT, 19 June 2024 | Updated: 22:11 EDT, 19 June 2024 e-mail View comments A stretch of coast on the North Island of New Zealand has been named the 'best beach in the world'. Phia Beach is nestled in the seaside town of Phia, 45 minutes west of Auckland, and is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and striking black, magnetic sands. Enjoy Travel, a global travel authority, awarded the beach first place out of 50, ahead of Stokes Bay in South Australia and Moon Bay in Slovenia.
Unlike most popular white sandy beaches with mellow tides, Phia is often a rugged and treacherous bay with powerful currents that can make swimming difficult. That said, there is a set area flagged off for swimming and patrolled by lifeguards in the summer. 'Mesmerising' magnetic black sands are the result of ancient volcanic activity in the area at Phia Beach Lion's rock, known locally as Te Piha, is an imposing and iconic feature and looming over the sands It is the strong currents and superior swell that have surfers the world over calling Phia Beach their favourite destination.
In fact, it was at Phia's break in 1958 that two Californian .