13 of the most glorious beaches in Auckland
Swim, walk, and sunbathe at the best beaches in Auckland.
Auckland city sprawls between two harbours, with a smattering of islands in the calm Waitemata to the east and wide open sea bordered by mountains in the west.
With this much coastline, there are more nice beaches around Auckland than you can shake a sandy beach towel at.
Auckland has great beaches, from black sand beaches on the West Coast to calm white-sand bays in the east. You can visit dozens of fantastic beaches within about an hour of the city.
If you wanted to, you could swim at sunrise off the East Coast, and again at sunset on the West Coast.
To find the best beaches around Auckland, hop in a car (or on a ferry) and head to these stunners.
jump ahead.
Map of Auckland’s best beaches
The best beaches in Auckland city
Auckland city has dozens of beaches around the city.
Not all of them are nice, though. Most of the beaches close to the city centre are tidal — at low tide, the water is shallow and the bottom muddier, so it’s best to go swimming at high tide.
A lot of popular beaches, like Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St Heliers, aren’t naturally sandy. In the 1990s, the beaches were made from sand trucked in from Pakiri Beach further north.
I also find these Tamaki Drive beaches to be quite busy (head to Karaka Bay for a quieter spot).
Something else you should know; central beaches mostly suffer from poor water quality.
Herne Bay is contaminated around 20% of the time according to SafeSwim. And by ‘contaminated,’ I mean full of sewerage.
It pays to check the water quality on the Safe Swim website before you go, especially after heavy rain (Auckland’s storm water systems are notorious for spitting sewerage straight into the sea).
The North Shore of Auckland has some of the best beaches in the city, with clearer water than inner city spots like Herne Bay.
These beaches are my favourite spots close to the city centre.
1. Cheltenham Beach, Devonport
Image credit - Russell Street
Cheltenham is close to Devonport on the North Shore. A row of pretty, colourful houses at the north end gives it a quaint feel, and there are enough mature pohutakawa trees to provide shady spots to lay down a towel.
It can get busy with families, and the water is pretty tidal, but this is still one of the nicer Auckland city beaches.
At the southern end of the beach is North Head, which is one of my favourite sunset picnic spots in Auckland. Walk up there for a great view of the harbour.
2. Kendall Bay, Birkenhead
Kendall Bay is one of the only inner-city beaches I truly enjoy. It’s tucked away in a hidden spot on the North Shore.
Follow a short bush trail to get there - you can stop at the larger bay or carry on around to the point where there is small, secluded beach tucked away down some steep steps. It’s gorgeous for sunset.
3. Long Bay Beach, North Shore
Long Bay Regional Park, located on the North Shore of Auckland, is a long and spacious beach with calm waters which are perfect for swimming or stand up paddleboarding.
Occasionally, dolphins swim past, so keep an eye out.
The regional park also has some great picnic areas and barbecue spots, so this beach makes an awesome day trip destination for families.
There’s also a well-equipped children's playground for when kids get bored of the beach.
There’s a great walk along the coastal cliffs of Long Bay as well, if you’re looking for a beach side day walk.
Island beaches near Auckland
One of the most unique things about Auckland is that from the city centre you can easily reach beautiful islands via ferry.
As well as the famous Waiheke Island, there are some other under the radar gems that are well worth visiting as a day trip from Auckland.
4. Oneroa Beach, Waiheke
Waiheke Island is one of the most beautiful locations in the Auckland region.
On the eastern side of the island, the beaches are powder white with bright blue water. The highlight of Waiheke’s beaches is Oneroa.
If you’re after the best beach in Auckland, Oneroa might be it.
Oneroa beach is fringed in lush pōhutukawa trees and close to the small village centre. Grab an Island Gelato and stroll down to the sand while it melts all over you.
Once you’ve caught the ferry over to Waiheke, you can walk to Oneroa around the coastline or through the bush, or catch a bus to the village.
Tip: If you’re looking for a nude beach in Auckland, head over to Little Palm Beach.
While you’re on Waiheke, you might want to find more things to do:
5. Medlands Beach, Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island feels like its own tiny island nation, but it’s technically part of Auckland. You need at least a weekend to visit Great Barrier, but it’s worth the effort.
The small island is home to some of Auckland’s best beaches for swimming, surfing, and sun bathing.
Medlands Beach, a large white-sand beach, is one of the most popular destinations on Great Barrier.
Located on the eastern side of the island, Medlands Beach is gorgeous at sunrise. It also benefits from waves rolling in from the Pacific, making it fun for surfers and body boarders.
The clear water is stunning to swim in, and despite its incredible beauty, it’s rarely busy.
There is a DOC campground at Medlands Beach as well as a smattering of baches. If you head to Great Barrier for an island escape, you could do a lot worse than set up camp next to this beach.
6. Ladies Bay, Rotoroa Island
Image credit - Rotoroa Island Trust
Rotoroa Island in the Waitematā Harbour is one of my favourite day trip destinations from Auckland. The gorgeous little island feels like magical escapism - there are takahe (?!) wandering around, gorgeous island walks, and one of Auckland’s best beaches.
The island has been set up as a sanctuary, and it’s a beautiful place to connect with nature.
Ladies Bay is a quiet, golden bay safe for swimming. The water here is calm and flat. A gentle walking track leads from the wharf to Ladies Bay. Carry on and you can also visit Mens Bay, then Cable Bay on your return.
Fullers runs a ferry from the Auckland central ferry terminal to Rotoroa Island. It takes around 75 minutes and costs $60 per adult return. Check out the timetable on the Fullers website.
Note: This Ladies Bay is not to be confused with the Ladies Bay near St Heliers, in east Auckland. That particular Ladies Bay is a famous nudist spot — it is also a pretty beach if that’s what you’re after, but as Auckland Council warn on their website, it’s not one for families and children :)
7. Ocean Beach, Motuihe Island
Catch the Red Boats ferry ($38pp return) out to Motuihe Island and you’ll discover a beautiful little slice of Auckland that flies deliciously under the radar.
There are walking tracks around the island which give you views out across the Waitematā, and beaches on different sides of the island to choose from.
Ocean Beach lies on the eastern side of the island, and is a long stretch of sand arcing around a calm bay. It can get crowded with boaties as the day wears on, but you can still find quiet spots and the water is an incredible shade of green.
The ferry runs a limited timetable (departing at 9am, returning at 4pm) so you have to commit to spending the day on Motuihe, but this really is one of the best beaches in Auckland, so it’s worth the trip.
Beautiful beaches north of Auckland
Head north of Auckland city and you’ll quickly reach vast expanses of white sand lapped by gentle waves.
At these beaches, you can almost believe you’ve landed in the Caribbean.
8. Anchor Bay, Tāwharanui Regional Park
The further north of Auckland you drive, the better the beaches get.
Tāwharanui is roughly one hour from the city without traffic, and your reward for travelling this far is pristine, white sand beaches — none of the estuary flats with sharp shells that are common closer to the city.
Anchor Bay is the main beach and the best for swimming. It’s an easy walk from the carpark.
Head to the far northeast of Anchor Bay (around the big rock that separates the sandy stretches) to find quieter places to set up camp. The water here is absolutely excellent, and on days when the sea is calm the water is crystal clear and bright blue.
The sand here is so white it sparkles. The pōhutukawa trees are huge.
It’s quiet and spacious, even on busier days, and to top it all off you can even catch kaka screeching overhead.
The regional park is also great for walks - the Ecology Trail is one of the best walks near Auckland.
9. Pakiri Beach, Pakiri
Pakiri is one of the best beaches north of Auckland.
Located a 90-minute drive from the city, Pakiri Beach is a long scythe of white sand cutting into bright blue water.
In the right conditions, Pakiri Beach is great for beginner surfers. It’s a mellow beach break in a beautiful setting, with multiple peaks so you’ll easily find a spot to yourself.
If surfing’s not your thing, white sand Pakiri Beach is also great for walking, bird spotting (it’s home to endangered fairy terns), and swimming.
West coast beaches near Auckland
The west coast of Auckland is famous for its black sand beaches, strong surf, and bush walks. Head to these beaches for a dose of fresh air and adventure.
10. Anawhata Beach, West Auckland
Anawhata is one of Auckland’s best beaches because it feels truly wild and remote. It’s one of the most secluded beaches near Auckland.
It takes a bit more effort to reach than other West Coast beaches in Auckland. To get there, you take the same road out west that leads to Piha, then hang a right down a narrow gravel road that runs for about 10 kilometres. Once you get to the carpark, you then walk down a steep track to reach the beach.
The benefit of this is that when you do make it to Anawhata, you’ll probably only share the vast black sand beach with a handful of other people.
A creek pours out of the steep bush, waves pour themselves in turbulent excitement onto the sand, and the wind feels like it can cleanse you of any stress you might be carrying.
For an extra special treat, stay for sunset (just be ready to walk up a steep path in the gloom),
11. Piha Beach, West Auckland
Your first glimpse of Piha will whip the breath right out of your lungs. Driving out of the thick Waitākere bush to a sweeping view of the vast beach is a stunning moment.
Piha is a long, black sand beach with the famous lion’s rock rearing up in the middle.
A tiny surfing community sandwiches itself between the surf and the native bush. There’s a cafe and a small store where you can stop and grab coffee and cake, before carrying on to the beach.
Piha Beach is famous for its crashing surf.
Strong currents and waves mean it’s not a safe swimming beach, but walking the length of the black sand and up Lion Rock, while kissed by the cool sea air, is still refreshing.
There are other walking trails nearby too. At the south end of the beach is the Tasman Lookout trail, which also leads to the blue pool, and at the far north end of the beach is the Te Waha Lookout Trail.
Whichever vantage point you head for, watch powerful sets roll in from the Tasman and if you’re lucky, you might see surfers careening across the face of the towering waves.
Stay out at Piha for sunset - it’s one of the best things to do in Auckland.
12. Muriwai Beach, West Auckland
Muriwai is the northernmost of Auckland’s West Coast beaches. From Muriwai Regional Park there’s pretty much nothing but 60 kilometres of open coast sweeping northwards.
The main draw to Muriwai Beach, if you’re not a surfer, is the gannet colony.
Ōtakamiro Point, a rocky headland reached via a short track from the carpark, is the site of one of New Zealand’s few mainland gannet (takapu) breeding colonies.
The track is only 1.3 kilometres, so it takes less than half an hour, but there are many great photo opportunities.
It’s also possible to swim at Muriwai, but I would do so with caution. The waves and currents are powerful. In summer there are lifeguards and flags, so stick to that area.
13. Whatipu Beach, West Auckland
Whatipu Beach isn’t safe for swimming but it’s one the best beaches in Auckland for walking.
It’s a grand sweep of sand backed by rolling dunes and wetlands. On the bottom corner of the Waitākere Ranges, you can see out across the choppy Manukau Harbour mouth.
The road out to Whatipu is an experience in itself, crossing fords and rising through beautiful bush. If you want to break up the drive, Alfred’s Huia Store is an adorable place where you can settle into a sofa for a coffee and scone.
From the Whatipu Beach carpark, you can walk the Omanawanui track, one of my favourite hikes in the whole country. It goes past a few great lookouts across Whatipu and the Manukau Harbour. The track is well-made with lots of steps. Take plenty of water and allow about two hours for it.
There’s also a track you can follow to the Whatipu Caves, if you like poking around in caves.
Whatipu Campground is a nice spot to overnight if you want to enjoy the sunset without the long and winding road back into the city.
The best beaches in Auckland for swimming
Rip tides are one of the most dangerous things in New Zealand.
Auckland’s east coast beaches are generally much safer and more suitable for swimming than the West Coast beaches.
If you’re going to Piha, Muriwai, or other West Coast beaches, swim with caution and only ever between the flags. Currents are strong and can easily pull you out to sea if you’re not careful.
The beaches close to Auckland city tend to have calmer waters and be safer for swimming. Point Chevalier, Herne Bay, Long Bay, and Mission Bay are all popular swimming spots, but the water is more polluted in these places.
Water contamination at Auckland’s city beaches
It’s very cool that Auckland has beaches right in the centre of the city. They are great for picnics and walks, but I have to be honest - they aren’t always so great for swimming.
If you want a quick and dirty beach trip, you can take a dip at spots like Mission Bay, Herne Bay, or Point Chevalier, but these beaches are all made of sand imported from Pakiri Beach.
Plus, they all suffer from poor water quality - Herne Bay is contaminated around 20% of the time according to SafeSwim. And by ‘contaminated,’ I mean full of sewerage.
So, I really mean quick and dirty. It pays to check the water quality on the Safe Swim website before you go, especially after heavy rain.
Thanks for reading! I hope you discovered some new Auckland beaches to visit — the region really is packed with them.
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