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.

Just to the south of popular Muriwai beach on Auckland's West Coast is the small cove of Maori Bay…read more This beach can be accessed either by foot from the stairs at the Southern end of Muriwai, or by turning up left before the car park. To get to the beach you are faced with a very steep walk down over rocks gravel, and this is one of the reasons that if you went to this beach to relax, you are less likely to be surrounded by hoards of children. What you will come across is a large number of surfers. My partner tells me that the break at this bay is better than at Muriwai, and it is often less crowded. This is not a swimming spot for amateur or weak swimmers as there are no life guards on duty, and there can be a very nasty rip that runs along the beach and straight into the rocks at the northern end. I have seen surfers walking back around over the cliff path after being sucked out and swept around to Muriwai. You have been warned! Rare and endangered Fairy terns nest at the northern end of the beach in the right season, so heed the signs and don't touch the baby ones, even if they look lost!

Every time I pull into the car park at Maori Bay I smile. Even though I visit the surf spot often,…read morewhen the swell is good, I am always surprised by the amazing views. The car park sits high on a cliff giving you a tremendous view of the rough ocean crashing onto the rocks at the base of Otakamiro point, where hundreds of gannets flock together at one of New Zealand's few breeding colonies. It really is a sight. The west coast waters here are a little too feisty for the casual swim, but even if you're not a keen surfer, the grassy clearing next to the car park sets the scene for the perfect picnic to watch the sunset. Or if you're more of an adventurer take the walk over the hills to get snap-happy up close and personal with the gannets!

If you like venturing off the beaten track into the wilderness, Rimmer Road is a great little…read morehideaway spot that is far enough away from the city buzz to be a great experience but close enough to not be that big of a deal. About 20 minutes south of Muriwai main Beach Rimmer Road takes you to a gravel pot-hole ridden winding road that leads through a forest towards an often deserted car park. From there you must unload yourself and your belongings and start your short trek through bushes planted through a sandy base and up over the dunes. Here you will find a huge expanse of nothingness. If you look left you will see winding beach until forever... and if you look right you will see the same thing. Looking straight ahead out into the ocean you can see nothing at all, only in your imagination can you picture Australia thousands of kilometres away! This is an awesome spot to sit up on the dunes with your significant other and enjoy the quiet, only broken as the waves crash onto the shore. There are no lifeguards anywhere around here so unless you are a very confident swimmer, don't venture out into the water. If you're doing a beach trip with the family I'd recommend sticking to a patrolled beach.

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.

Hillsborough Bay is a place of beauty. Just off the top of Hillsborough Road there is also a track…read moreyou can take which is like walking through the jungle to get there. At the bottom lies a green and a picnic table. Carry on across the road down steps to the bay and you will be in awe of the beautiful surroundings. You can see a couple of mountains before you. The setting is tranquil and there are wooden benches to sit on. Take a book and sit under the shade of a tree. There is a children's park at the end, however, it is rarely used. There is also a beach area, however its quite stoney. If you want to meditate or go somewhere peaceful this is your place.

I like Bethells Beach! It is a very cool place, it takes a bit of a drive to get to, especially if…read moreyou are coming from across town, but it is well worth it. It is great how they have the mobile cafe on the beach next to all the sand dunes, just what you feel like after you have been in the water. Plus it has such a chilled out vibe, all types go there, families, couples, old, young, all are welcome! I hold it on the list of "to do's" for all overseas guests, if you can, make time to spare for this hotspot. It is a popular beach too, so don't expect to have yourself a little hideaway, despite the driving distance from town. It also has a good reputation that stretches across the Tasman - I had heard about Bethells in Australia before I even moved here. It also goes by its original name "Te Henga'.

The beach is a short walk from the parking lot. The black sand gets hot in summer so it is a…read moredifficult walk. Good place in Auckland for kids

My wife's family have been living in Te Atatu for over thirty years and believe it or not, they…read moredidn't know about this place until recently. I saw an article in the paper about secret beaches in Auckland and this was one of the beaches that was mentioned. The good thing is there is hardly anyone here in weekdays, mind you, you get people walking dogs and jogging on the weekends. It's a sandy beach but the surface is full of shells so you would need footwear to walk along here - well, I wear footwear but some of locals don't. There's a beautiful view of the city from an angle you've probably never encountered before. There is a also a nice walkaway which goes right around the to the next beach. It's a nice place to come for a long walk during summer. A great spot for kids, there is also a playground so plenty to keep them busy.

A great spot for a picnic, this little beach is a great place to bring the kids, go for a swim, or…read morewalk the dogs. My friend and I used to always come here during the week when the sun was out, because there'd be hardly anyone else here. We'd bring a blanket, some food and book, and have a relaxing afternoon in the sun, looking across the harbour at Auckland City. The water itself is harbour water, so it can be a bit muddy, but it's fun for the kids because it's flat as anything, and you always see lots of kids on floaties and people out on their kayaks. There's a playground in the reserve that's pretty decent, with bark as the base for safety. Make sure you bring your dog on a lead though because everyone brings their dogs down here, so if you're dog is the type to take off, it's much safer on a lead. We bring both our dogs down here and one of them loves running into the mud and into the water. The other just likes to roll around in the sand. The sand is quite shelly, actually. It's kind of like a really small Mission Bay, out west, with no shops and of course far less people.

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.

A little walk up a sand dune and over the hill from Bethells beach lies the beauty and serenity of…read morethis gorgeous bay. I loved discovering this special spot on my recent visit to Bethells Beach as I'm always keen to see pure NZ in all her glory. A very popular spot with the surfer and strong swimmer, I decided against joining the crowd and took a little bush walk up the hill on some bush paths to get a better view of the scenery. Just absolutely untouched nature! As I scanned the hillside I couldn't pick out one building which was just pure magic, just the way it should be. You don't have the luxury of having the surf life savers watching your back at O'neils bay like sister Bethells beach however if your confident and a smart swimmer and you know your water safety be sure to jump in at this Auckland beauty.