Cityscape has your definitive list of Christchurch beaches to hit this summer, from the most popular to the hidden gems.

SUMNER AND SCARBOROUGH

If Hollywood was going to shoot a beach movie in Christchurch, Sumner would be where it happens. Boardwalk, beach, skate park, playgrounds, and drop-dead amazing ice cream – Sumner has all the ingredients. Starting at Shag Pile and stretching all the way down to the playground and paddling pool at Scarborough, this end of town is a one-stop destination for all your beachy needs.

From Shag Pile to the surf club is your dog-friendly strip, so if you’re a dog parent or simply love to watch happy doggos gambolling about, base yourself here. If you prefer your beach experience to remain un-slobbered, stick closer to Cave Rock, which is where you’ll find the safe swimming area between the flags anyway.

Down at the Scarborough end, the nearby park, playground and paddling pool provide plenty of entertainment for the young ones, and a coffee or ice cream from the café and a people-watching spot on the boardwalk will do very well for the grown-ups.

Get fish ‘n’ chips: Red Snapper or Burger Stop will hook you up (no pun intended) with a paper’s worth of fried goodness to round out your day.

Get ice cream: Utopia Ice is your ultimate ice cream destination here, with a menu of beautiful flavours including vegan options, and a cute little courtyard to enjoy them in.

NEW BRIGHTON

With sand as far as the eye can see and a picturesque pier pointing off to the horizon, New Brighton Beach is for walkers, surfers, sunbathers and even those whose appetite for the ocean begins and ends with admiring it from afar.

Enjoy sweeping views all the way down the coast from Waimairi to Southshore, and there are great playgrounds nearby at Thomson Park, Broad Park and South Brighton Domain.

Around the pier is where most of the action is: cafés and bars aplenty, a library with a view, the hot salt water pools at He Puna Taimoana, and the pier itself, which presents fantastic photo opportunities.

Get fish ‘n’ chips: Fish ‘n’ Chicken in Carnaby Mall has it all: fish ‘n’ chips, burgers, Chinese takeaways and fried chicken.

Get ice cream: Get all your favourites from boysenberry to hokey pokey at the Deep South Ice Cream Parlour on Marine Parade.

TAYLORS MISTAKE

A visit to this little bay is never a mistake, whatever Taylor might tell you. Just around a ways from Scarborough, it’s a top surfing spot in Christchurch. Amenities are thin on the ground but natural beauty is abundant, with some of Christchurch’s best walks starting here and winding around Godley Head. The smattering of historic baches at Boulder Bay is definitely worth taking a detour to see. There’s also a playground, toilets, and showers to rinse off after your surf.

Get fish ‘n’ chips: No such luck here – although you can always catch some fish of your own off the rocks!

Get ice cream: There’s sometimes an ice cream truck parked here during the summer months, or stop and grab a cone in Sumner on your way back into town.

CORSAIR BAY

It’s scenic and sheltered, it has a wicked pirate ship playground to delight the kids, and it gets packed with families on a hot day, which you know means Corsair Bay is one of the top summer spots in Christchurch.

Lounge on the grass or shelly beach, swim in the perfectly blue water, or take a walk in the forest-clad hills and discover the tiny Thornycroft Torpedo Boat Museum.

Get fish ‘n’ chips: Lyttelton Seafood is just a short drive away, or for the kind that comes on a plate, Fisherman’s Wharf is a sure-fire winner.

Get ice cream: Bomba in Lyttelton serves gelato from a caravan on London Street most afternoons, and all day on Saturdays.

WOODEND BEACH

Beautiful, sandy and off the beaten track, this North Canterbury beach has everything you could want from a great beach with much less crowdage. Walking trails lead in both directions and connect up with other beaches and townships. You’ll often spot horse riders enjoying a tranquil trot along the sand here, and the playground area is a great spot for a family picnic.

Get fish ‘n’ chips: Monty’s Fish ‘n’ Chips is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the beach, perfect for enjoying a scoop or two of chips on the sand while warding off seagulls, the way they were intended.

Get ice cream: Get those slurp-worthy real fruit ice creams at Vege’n Out Limited.

WAIKUKU BEACH

Alongside a beautiful swimming beach, Waikuku Domain has a playground complete with flying fox, a paddling pool, tennis and basketball courts and a skate park. There are also tons of beautiful forest walks and no less than five golf courses nearby, making this a lovely holiday spot for families.

Get fish ‘n’ chips AND ice cream: Waikuku Beach General Store is legendary in these parts. The store’ll sort you out for both dinner and dessert – the ice creams are large, and you can even get gluten free fish and chips cooked in a separate fryer.

Further afield

AKAROA

Jump off the jetty, swim out to the raft, relax on the sand or up above on the grass, and revel in the ultimate Kiwi summer experience. The idyllic seaside town of Akaroa is an absolute must-visit for anyone living in or visiting Christchurch. It’s only an hour’s drive away but it’s beautiful and relaxing and gives you the perfect excuse to spend literally all day on the beach.

Get fish ‘n’ chips: Akaroa Fish & Chips is your go-to in the heart of the village, and tucked away on Church Street, Murphy’s On The Corner catches its own fresh fish daily.

Get ice cream: Sweet As Bakery is just down from the main beach on Rue Lavaud and has a good range of gourmet Kapiti ice creams, while Akaroa IceCreamery opposite the wharf has all the flavours you could dream of – 37 of them, to be exact.

TUMBLEDOWN BAY

A winding road splitting off from Little River leads you to this secluded beach framed by green headlands, a gorgeous spot that you’re likely to have all to yourself. It’s a favourite beach for surfers in the right conditions, and seals have been known to surf a few waves in this bay too.

Get fish ‘n’ chips: None to speak of near the bay itself, but Akaroa is close by and has plenty to choose from.

Get ice cream: Grab one in the Little River Café and Store before you take the road out, or treat yourself on the way back.

HICKORY BAY

Hickory Bay boasts incredible waves that attract surfers from Christchurch and all around Banks Peninsula. It’s about a half hour’s drive away from Akaroa and definitely off the beaten track, which means there aren’t any shops and cellphone coverage can be iffy, but you’re almost guaranteed to have plenty of room to starfish on the sand and have all the space in the world for catching waves.

Fish ‘n’ chips and ice cream: You’ll have to bring your own snacks or head into Akaroa for dinner after a day in the surf.