Auckland's Best Beaches
From coast to coast
With both a wild West Coast and an easy East to choose from, Aucklanders are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a stretch of sand to visit, whatever their chosen endeavour. Trying to decide on a list of the best is nigh on impossible, so we've narrowed it down to a few we like that each appeal to a different sort of beachgoer. You can even choose to hire a bach and stay for the weekend!
Mission Bay is an obvious choice given its close proximity to Downtown Auckland and its plethora of cafes and bars, as well as the endless possibilities on offer when it comes to people watching on an any given day. The North Shore's Takapuna Beach falls into the same category, and can get as packed in the weekends as Queen Street during the commuter hours.
Browns Bay is another North Shore favourite, and Long Bay a bit further on is a great choice for a family day out as it is spacious enough to create your own little world on the sand on even the busiest of days. There is also plenty of parking, playgrounds and barbecues, so pack a picnic and stay for a few hours. The Eastern beach of Maraetai and nearby Omana Regional Park are also a great choice for the same reason, and many families flock to this beautiful part of the Pohutukawa Coast to swim, picnic, fish, or just walk the beaches.
Less than an hour's drive will see you hit the wild and winsome black sand beaches of Waitakere District's West Coast, famous for their surf, their wildlife and their ability to impress even the most jaded visitor.
Muriwai is possibly the easiest drive and takes you through the country township of Kumeu where you can call in for a bite to eat, whilst Anawhata is still dirt road territory, and great for more adventurous types in search of some privacy en route to a picnic or surf. Kare Kare is famous for its seriously amazing views, whilst Te Henga is quiet and still relatively homely.
Piha is definitely the most popular however, and we highly recommend lunch at the Piha Cafe or a great meal of fish n' chips on a windy, sunburned afternoon after a few hours spent in the sea. Take care swimming particularly on the West Coast beaches and try to go between the flags where possible – rips and big surf can be dangerous.
The islands of the Hauraki Gulf are also home to some beautiful spots that are reachable by ferry, plane and private boat, such as Home Bay on Motutapu Island. Here you'll find a great picnic spot surrounded by hills covered in native totara and kauri, plus over 300 Maori archaeological sites to explore all over the island. Camping is also inexpensive at this beautiful, secluded spot, so pick a sunny weekend and take along a group and a couple of guitars for a real slice of old fashioned Kiwi entertainment.
Editorial by Helene Ravlich