The Auckland region boasts an impressive 1613km of coastline, with everything from rugged rocks, black sand beauties that feature in films to pretty white sand crescents made for postcards.
Swimming, surfing, paddling, snorkelling or just plain admiring from the shore, if you dig beaches, you’ll be astonished with what’s on offer in Auckland, and very few of them more than an hour’s drive from town.
North Shore
The suburbs of the North Shore are blessed with a range of beaches. From Cheltenham and those super elegant beachfront houses to Takapuna’s impressive pōhutukawa trees to Long Bay, most beaches on the North Shore offer tremendous views of Rangitoto and are so easy to get to.
Go West
One look at Muriwai Beach and you’ll see why it’s on the top of virtually every list of must dos in Auckland. With majestic cliff top platforms providing the ideal perches for gannets, those clever birds with their yellow bonnets make their home here from August to March. Fulfil your David Attenborough fantasies, then take a windswept walk as the Tasman Sea pounds upon the shore. On a clear day you can even see Australia. (Editor’s note: Unless you have bionic eyes, that is never possible.)
Heading south but still out west, Bethells Beach or Te Henga, is where Taylor Swift shot the video for Out of the Woods, and it’s also a fabulous spot for appreciating (and climbing) gargantuan dunes. A stroll round Lake Wainamu also comes highly recommended. Other beaches made famous on screen, Karekare featured in Jane Campion’s film The Piano and is where she created that memorable image of the grand piano languishing in the tide. Or perhaps you’ll spot handsome Erik Thomson exiting the surf, because 800 Words is shot round these parts with the beach settlements of Piha and Huia standing in for fictional Weld. Piha is also one of Auckland’s most popular surfing beaches with a couple of surf schools happy to show visitors the ropes. Or clamber up Lion Rock, it takes a bit of effort but you can reward yourself with a treat at the café when you’re back down at sea level.
South
Further south, the multi-faceted Awhitu Peninsula offers a combination of tranquil bays and wild delights with an expedition to Manukau Heads Lighthouse perfect for the ultimate Instagram post. As for Kariotahi, many locals are unaware of this coastal gem where blokarting, paragliding and horse riding are all on offer.
Further North
If the wild west is a bit too dramatic for you, yet you still wish to get out of central Auckland, head northeast because Auckland has a beach for every appetite. One hours drive north of central Auckland, on the Matakana Coast, look for Tāwharanui Regional Park and take a picnic to Anchor Bay and explore behind the predator-proof fence where you’ll find an abundance of wildlife unique to New Zealand. Pretty Pakiri Beach is rarely crowded and surfing, swimming, strolling and horse riding are all up for grabs. Or give Omaha a whirl, another startlingly pretty white sand beach whose gentle waves are popular with learner surfers. Goat Island Marine Reserve is fish heaven, whether you snorkel or kayak with a Clearyak and spy on the friendly sea creatures beneath you.
East
The scenic Pohutukawa Coast, more white sand, more regional parks, notably Duder and Omana, more vulnerable wildlife protected from predators. Plus you can enjoy an assortment of activities including kayaking, cycling and walking from Maraetai through to Beachlands and Omana.