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.

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.

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.

Commonly know as the 'Secret Beach' this reserve is so awesome. Probably one of my top five spots…read morein Auckland, which is saying a lot. You walk down a set of steps to find the cutest little beach in what seems like the middle of the city. And the best thing is that there is usually no one there! This is unheard of for most Auckland beaches and I love that it's like that. The beach looks out over the harbour and also at the harbour bridge, which makes it the perfect date spot. I've also got friends who've had wedding photos there. But you do need to be aware of when it is low and high tide as it goes out a little way. We like to go get a coffee from Jervois Road and take it down with us. Nature truly provides the best setting to enjoy a good coffee.

Super beach reserve which looks out towards the Chelsea Sugar Factory. There is a toilet and…read moreshower in the reserve which is handy. On the beach there are lovely low hanging Pohutukawa which provide some shade if you want. The best time to come here is a couple of hours either side of high tide.

A great beach that's a little different from the other East Coast bays because of the cool rock…read morestructure to the left hand side where a small part of the cliff has come away from the main part with flat rocks connecting them. A very neat feature. Same as all of them though- you can see Rangitoto. Noticed some people taking some rods there for a fish in this area. Be careful though- saw a warning sign for falling rocks. Public bathrooms available and an outdoor shower that is helpful. A cool climbing pyramid rope structure on the grassy area to the side as well as a underpass wooden walkway to the opposite side of the road to the boat club. Rocks on both sides of the beach at low tide that you can walk around. Can get slippery so be careful but good fun and you can get to the secluded little Winstones Cove this way. They have a pontoon in the middle of the ocean which is cool as well as a little secluded part of the beach for boats and a boat ramp. Noticed several SUP'ers too- water is definitely calm enough for it. Makes for excellent swimming as well. What a neat little bay- definitely recommend

Really nice beach for a walk! Dog friendly, majestic and mostly quiet in comparison to nearby…read moreBrowns Bay. It's a smaller bay, but has some beautiful qualities, such as the giant rock you can climb or just marvel at, a beautiful stream made by seawater and a nearby cafe, Tides, to grab a coffee at and watch the waves.

Found this little gem online and had to see it for myself. Drive down Gray Crescent and see if…read morethere is any road parking available after the residents. It isn't too hard to find the entrance either- especially with the sign on the gate before its downhill concrete driveway. Cute little bench sitting on the concrete just before the golden sand and noticed a short concrete stair to the left with a flat square bit. Couldn't venture out to see it myself. I've never been very good at checking tides so it was quite high-tide when I went so I could also only do a bit of the coastal cliff/rock walk around this little secluded beach. I'm sure at low tide you could make it all the way around to Waiake. A very gnarly tree on the right hand side that you have to contend with but has a neat rope swing. Got very warm exposed to the full elements but the bay itself is shaded by pohutukawa so has best of both worlds. Owners of nearby houses have their own private access and saw a few of them going for a swim. Definitely need to do that next time as well as finish that wrap around walk. Definitely worth a check in

An absolute gem. Very difficult to be seated at a table but when you are? Totally worth the wait!read more

We went here on recommendation of a friend and what a discovery. This is one of those reviews I…read morewasn't sure I should write because once the secret is out, some of the magic of this place will be lost in the crowds. There's a few in the know already because we certainly weren't alone but it's absolultely one of the quietest beaches I've been to in a long time. It's calm and safe, albeit a little sharp underfoot and the tide never seems to go out very far. There's a grassy area under the trees if you prefer or a reasonable amount of shade under the rockfaces. It's really beautiful and we spent an afternoon here quietly relaxing with everyone doing their own thing (read boys throwing things around and digging holes, the girl making a beautiful sand sculpture and the parents snoozing and reading). Bliss.

Good beach for swimming when a nor'easterly blows (it's calm then). Also not very tidal, unlike (to…read moremy knowledge) all other Manukau harbour beaches. Been going there for years.

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.

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

what a wonderful day! Darryl Digs did a wonderful showing us the CHOICE places. we limited on…read moreSnapper within the first HOUR! IF and ONLY IF you are looking #1 enjoy a scenic boat tour #2 camaraderie #3 Catch a BUNCH of Fish! #3 ) have a great time! Call Darryl! MegaBites Fishing Charter. -Joe McMurray

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