Castor Bay is the bay after Milford and before Campbells Bay along the East Coast. It has the…read morenearby Salt restaurant as a good landmark if you're trying to locate it. It's a small bay with an equally small car park- especially with the boat ramp in the corner. However, it's gorgeous with it's glass-clear water and shelter by the cliffs on either side with ground-level rocks. You don't have to walk very far before it gets deep and it's lovely to swim in. A great view straight onto Rangitoto as well as a neat playground and grass area. Shade is available by the trees planted about. Popular when I last came here with lots of people of all ages dotted around everywhere. So circle around, find a park and enjoy

Castor Bay Beach is aiiight. It's not huge but it's quite sheltered, more so than neighbouring…read morebeaches, Milford & Campbell. There's a small children's playground at one end and basic shower/toilet facilities. Parking is limited. Easily my favourite time to go to Castor Bay is low tide. Then you can climb around the rocks at the north end to this small secluded beach below Kennedy Park. I'm pretty sure that dogs are allowed off leash here too, even in the peak of Summer. If you're feeling energetic, climb the steep stairs and check out the WWII gun emplacements and tunnels. They're not as good as the ones at North Head but still, pretty impressive!

This secluded beach has white sand, clear water and is an absolute favourite amongst locals. Walk…read morealong the coast from the larger, more populated Takapuna Beach past historic scoria reefs and petrified log holes and within 15 minutes you will find yourself at this hidden haven. Don't forget to pick up a coffee or an award winning liquorice ice cream from Takapuna Beach Cafe before you start. Fun Fact: If you are walking your dogs during low tide be sure to let them have a dip or drink in the fresh water rock pool towards the Southern end of the beach. The water trickles down from Lake Pupuke and the dogs just love it!

Thorne Bay is simply amazing. Forget the busy main beach at Takapuna, if it is seclusion you are…read moreafter then take the time to find your way to this beautiful bay. You can access Thorne Bay via Minnehaha Avenue, then there is a bit of a walk across some rock pools but the trek is worth it. Thorne Bay has white sand with lots of tiny pretty shells and if possible grab yourself a spot under one of the trees for some shade. When I went I was surprised at how far the tide came up, so if possible pick a time when it is low. The bay is also very rocky and so that combined with the tide means it isn't child friendly, which is nice because there aren't a lot of kids there. I had a beautiful time when I went early this year. Yes the weather was great too but just being in this small paradise you feel like you're not even in Auckland. If you haven't been you must go, you won't want to go to a mainstream beach again.

I probably like Milford park more than the average punter because I grew up down the road…read more Throughout my childhood, I spent many a day at Milford Park climbing the trees, playing BYC and go home stay home. Trip down memory lane aside, Milford Park is still a great spot to bring the kiddies. There is a freshly painted, bright blue playground, toilets, BBQ pits AND the Beach is right next door. Not to mention in Summer there is frequently concerts or outdoor movie screenings. Oh, and for all those runners out there every Wednesday night there is a fun run that leaves from the Milford Cruising Club in the park and goes to Takapuna and back for only $7 ($3 for kids), free drink included!

I shouldn't review the park as high as I would prefer to keep this to myself - but better to be…read morehonest. A good little suburban park - good parking, safe kids playground, beach volleyball courts and the beach a hop and a skip away. The Creek provides a bit of action if the tide is in as the yachts and fisher boats trailing and out over the 4 hours of tide. Good takeouts and coffee close by in Milford and it is not surprising the number of people who get fish and chips from PJs (another secret) and eat them on the picnic tables worth a visit

This beach is rather short with not too much beach at high tide but it does has two saving graces;…read more 1) There is a great little park and playground at the south-eastern end complete with loos and an outdoor showers (of course!) 2) At the Northern end you can walk right the way round the rocks to Murrays Bay. It takes about 40mins and is a brilliant walk to do with four legged friends. TIP: Stop in at Paper Moon Cafe in Mairangi for a coffee or even better some Kapiti Icecream - delish!

A small though wide beach that looks across the ocean onto Rangitoto and has beach front property…read moreon the other side. You can access it from Huntly Road where there are public bathrooms and a cute playground for the kids. There are a few parks and not too far away a man-made wooden bridge that leads onto blue-y boulders and stone lined sand walkway down to the beach. At the end of the beach begins the concrete/stone walkway that goes onto Mairangi and Murray Bay. Lovely neat little beach

do NOT go to this beach. my whole family got bit by something and gave them red itchy bites just by…read moregoing in the water. Also we saw plenty of poisonous jellyfish which could've sent my babies to the hospital

Narrow Neck Beach is simply the most beautiful beach in Auckland !…read moreNear Devo, this beach is very large and quiet. Here, you will find clear water, fine sand not forgetting a wonderful view. But the photographs will talk better about it than a long explanation. Just the perfect place to go and relax after a working day.

This golden sand beach is wonderful as it's just behind the strip of many great little cafes and…read moreshops as well as one of the beaches along East Coast bays with the concrete walkway. It's connected to Murrays one way and Campbell's the other way and makes for a nice treat, especially with a buddy or a 4-legged companion. It's best at low tide but it was also a shrieking-good surprise with the waves coming in at high tide as well. The grass is elevated behind a stone wall from the beach with swings above the sand. The Mairangi Bay Surf Life saving Club sits just to one corner with patrols during the weekends. We came and saw littles running one weekend morning doing their water safety training. There were also heaps of people in the water and as well as boat taken out. Definitely a great one for summer

I have very fond memories of going here with my grandparents. Good place to take children. I don't…read morethink old bypass my local beach to drive there but like to pop in when I'm going past.

A little slice of heaven in the bays. My friends and I used to come here when we were younger. We'd…read moretake walks along the cliff tops and end up at Churchill Reserve where we'd have a picnic and take a dip. The little beach here is a bit rocky and shelly so it's not the best place for kids. I like it because it's really sheltered and often quite deserted. Recently there's been some issues with rocks falling off the cliff faces and landing on the beach. There are warning signs all over the bays saying, "beware of falling rocks". Don't walk past these without thinking because it can actually be really dangerous. If you're going to park up on the beach at Churchill reserve make sure you aren't nestled right under the cliff where rocks can fall and bonk you on the head! Don't let this put you off though because as long as you're careful this is a wonderful spot to enjoy. Up on the grassy reserve there are benches, which look out onto a spectacular view of the ocean. I usually stop here to enjoy the scenery when I'm out on a run. (That's what I tell myself but really I'm just tired and need a rest).

I like this beach because it lives at the end of a little cul-de-sac. It's a pretty small beach but…read moreit's always packed in summer. On my last trip to Rothesay Bay I tried my hand at some stand up paddle boarding. It was bloody tricky and even once I got the hang of it I struggled to avoid hitting the swarms of people in the water with my giant board. After our little paddle we set up on the beach for some hand ball games. The beach is flat so perfect for this kind of thing. I also think the park across the road tops off this beach perfectly. A grassy field for playing soccer or rugby, a playground and a set of toilets. Makes for quite the family outing really.

The perfect hide away urban beach with no through traffic, a great beach reserve, a stream and…read moresometimes even surfing waves.

Great Kiwi Beach! This place is a wonderful beach- it's…read morewide, sandy, with beautiful views, plenty of nearby amenities, restaurants, parking- this place has it all! There's a place where you can pay some dude on a tractor to launch your boat. He drives his tractor waaaay into the water to make sure you're properly launched. I saw people on jet skis, boats, swimmers- this place gets used. Walking along the beach, I found all kinds of interesting seashells! Heaps of them! There's a grassy area between the beach and the facilities, if sand isn't your thing. The beach offers wide open spaces where you can run free and not worry about stepping on a pop-top and blowing out your flip-flop and have to go on back home. Other than the fantastic view of far off seas and distant islands, was the facilities offered here. Outdoor showers to wash the salt water off, or bathe the family dog in. Indoor changing rooms and bathrooms. Hungry? There's heaps of dining options just a stone's throw away from this beach. It's like a small little town alongside this nice beach, with a large park backing up to it. Check it out!

A lovely beach across the road from various shops and cafes, Browns Bay has a lovely ambience that…read moremany Aucklander's love to rave about. There's a giant ice-cream dust bin opposite the delightful Penguino Ice Cream shop nearby, which I highly recommend before you head to the beach. Afterwards, go for your stroll and take in some grand views. The sand stretches for ages, so it's easy to find a spot even on a hot summer's day. Not a good surfing or bodyboarding beach, but great for swimming and paddling. My last visit was on a chilly, windy day, but it didn't ruin the atmosphere, rather adding to it's special nature. Hop on a swing and take in a peaceful breeze this autumn at Browns Bay.