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.

Fun times at this gorgeous beach. Come an hour either side of high tide. The reserve has a toilet,…read more shower and seating.

The discovery of Sentinel Beach makes me excited that there are more of these babies just waiting…read moreto be found. If I have lived in Auckland for 24 years and haven't even heard of a place 10 minutes from my house, then imagine how much more there is to discover! Sentinel Beach is a little gem. There isn't any big carparks or reserves, and the only way i saw to access it was by foot. It's rather hidden. As a result it is never crowded and despite being smack bang in the middle of town, you feel like you're up north somewhere. Swim safely in calm and teal-coloured waters, relax on the soft sun, take shade under one of the gorgeous big trees or take a stroll around the rocks. Great restaurants and bars are just a quick walk away as is public transport to get you to wherever you want to go easily. Lovely.

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 has to be one of the busiest beaches during the summer months! And it's pretty obvious why…read more The beach itself is absolutely beautiful. The water is clear and crisp and the sand is squeaky clean... it actually squeaks sometimes when you rub your feet in it! This is a great beach for the family as more often that not there are little waves, which make for some fun boogie boarding or body surfing. As Jacob said it's not often that there's real surf-able waves here but when the east coast swell gets up and hits at the right angle you might be in for a treat. There are some awesome rock pools to explore and a hill to climb which gives you a great look out over the bay. But be careful! I once saw a group of young kids get washed along the rocks as a set wave rolled in. Make sure you accompany your kids and only go exploring if there aren't big waves and the tide's not too high!

Beautiful Anchor Bay is a day trip spent perfectly in one of our regions golden treasures…read more I spent Easter Sunday here with my son and partner, we arrived not too long after lunch, and the car park close by was already packed to maximum capacity. A short walk down to the beach via the beach path and we found a lovely patch of sand with our name on it. I spent my time here swimming in the beautiful clean cool ocean, body surfing waves, and sun tanning. I recommend if you're not too relaxed to take a walk down the beach towards the rock pools which fill up and explore a deep human sized rock pool that you can dive bomb into! Sublime. The little kids will enjoy running about the rock pools and soaking in them, or searching for the little and big crabs that call it their home. The oceans out beyond the bay are protected as a marine reserve so the fish/sea creatures are happy and you won't see a fisherman in this regional park area. I love the peace I feel at Anchor Bay and always cherish my time here.

Such a great little beach!! I came here when I had a Thursday off and spent almost three hours…read morelaying in the sun and cooling off in the water. The beach is small but not overly crowded, and there is even a dock in the water for kids (or adults haha). There is a grassy area right by the beach if you want to chill out in the shade for a while. That would be a great spot for a picnic! There is street parking available but no car park. This probably helps keep it not so crowded There are public bathrooms with showers to wash the sand off, but make sure to bring your own soap or hand sanitizer as the bathroom doesn't stock soap. Overall this is a great beach if you're looking to catch some sun - there isn't much shade on the beach but if you want some, head on to the grass. Make sure to bring your own water and snacks! It's based in a residential area so you won't have lots of food and drink options.

Since Pt Chev beach was re-sanded it's really become a gem of a city beach. It is great for a…read morepicnic date, a family adventure, or a good beach adventure for your pooch. Parking can be a bit difficult during the summer but there is also plenty of street parking before the Coyle Park car park. It's off-leash for dogs all the time during the winter and before 9am and after 7pm during the summer. The only real important thing to be mindful of is the tide. Pt Chev beach is incredibly tidal so if you rock up during low tide expecting to go for a swim it ain't gonna happen. Likewise, if you arrive expecting to go for a beach walk at high tide, it will prove nearly impossible. Otherwise, Pt Chev beach is one of those places that makes Auckland such a great city to live in.

Great location and views! Easily accessible from the top of Oneroa via a path! Highly recommended!read more

By far, Oneroa Beach was my favorite beach from all the beach-hopping I did on Waiheke Island…read more Oneroa Beach is almost like an island itself; small, but a haven of seafood creatures--endless amounts of mussels still on their beds, oysters, sea snails, Kina's, to name a few. Sadly, I came on Christmas day (when everything is closed) but I don't doubt that a seafood meal at a nearby restaurant is fresh and local at all! There is also a small, cute cave that is just filled with seashells. It was at Oneroa where I discovered Kina's (sea urchins) and got to yak on a few of them, thanks to a humble Maori and his family who were digging them out from under the rocks. I don't think I've ever had seafood on premise, but it was really fresh and incredibly kind of him to get these pointy things out while stepping on those painful surfaces of rocks and showing us how to eat the eggs. There are lots of rocks and seashells on this beach--it almost feels as if this beach has been abandoned and is waiting to be rediscovered. You'll be mesmerized once you step foot on this beach, even if you're not expecting to see much, there is lots to see! What I really enjoyed and grasped from Oneroa Beach was that it felt like a beach that locals go to, and is probably one of the more underrated beaches on the island. It's also a lot cleaner and the views from the road (especially from the stairway) are breathtaking. And to think I almost didn't want to come because I was lazy to transfer buses!

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.

Located around an hours drive from Auckland you will arrive at this beautiful and peaceful bay…read more Discovered in the 1800's by a ship maker from the UK, which the bay was then aptly named after. Just this past weekend, I went for a family outing with my husband and the children and whilst out in the area, it was decided our packed picnic would be glorious down at the bay with the sun out in full happiness. This is one of the best picks you can take for the family. There is a playground for the little ones right above the beach, and a bit of grass to lay about and have food or relax. I even saw a father with his little ones playing a game of soccer, which was right behind the coffee caravan! Yes for all those caffeine addicts, I was very happy to find that there was a coffee cart here dishing up some delicious beverages. Not only do you have the benefits of the facilities of the bay but the true treasure is the beautiful deep bay, where you can swim out to a floating platform, if your a keen water enthusiast perhaps bring your paddle board or waka down for a go. People of all ages appreciate the rock pools at low tide, as you can walk out amongst the rocks and peer into pools of seaweed, starfish and crabs- just wonderful stuff for the little people who find it a thrill! Places like Mathesons, make me truly appreciate our city and how much beauty she beholds.

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.