Police say 12 people were arrested at a beach hop event at Whangamatā on the Coromandel Peninsula on Saturday night but behaviour at the event was generally good.

The Whangamatā Beach Hop which ran from Wednesday to Sunday this week was well-run and most participants were well-behaved, Acting Senior Sergeant Niwha Jones said in a statement.

But police issued 74 infringement notices for liquor ban breaches and 12 people were arrested on Saturday night for various disorder offences, Jones said.

Twenty drivers were also processed for excess breath alcohol despite the strong police presence at the event which was disappointing, Jones said.