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.

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.

Roxy and Lulu absolutely froth over this place. So many new smells and friends to be made. Milford…read morebeach really is a haven for dogs. This morning we even came across a rather large stingray that had washed up during the storm, which got the critters v.excited (and rather smelly). As far as beaches go, I would say Milford is of average size. At a leisurely pace it probably takes around 15mins to walk from one end to the other. However, If you are feeling spry I would highly recommend continuing on to Takapuna. The views are spectacular and the terrain is varied, which keeps things interesting. Be sure to wear your walking shoes though as things get a bit rocky! Whilst Milford Beach is great for dogs/morning walks it definitely not may fav spot for sunbathing. The sand is rather gritty and at high tide there is no beach to speak of. Instead head around to the much more secluded Thorne Bay.

A great beach with a huge field and playground nearby for the kids- at the main entrance and car…read morepark. There are lots of trees for climbing in and to rest in the shade as well as public BBQ's available. A boat launch lives right down the end in the corner. Several residential streets lead onto this beach- thankfully as it's sometimes a mission to find a park in the height of summer in the main area. A great view straight across to Rangitoto as well as rock pools on each end of the beach when it's low tide. Have spent many a childhood summer day looking into it trying to finding walking crabs, shrimps and other aquatic things. It's quite extensive rock pools so you can walk around and out quite a bit. The water is somewhat green-clear and great for swimming- not too rough and in the summer time they have lifeguard flags to keep the littlies safe in the water. Golden sand and a decent sized beach for you to lay down a towel and get some sun tanning in. They also have concrete walkways elevated above the sand when it's too high tide that wraps around the edge of the sand towards Takapuna. Beautiful sunsets here and great for dogs. A low key version of Takapuna that's nearby and still lovely.

Lake Pupuke was created by a volcanic eruption, aaaages ago. It was the same one that created that…read morecool Kauri fossil forest in between Takapuna Beach & Thorne Bay. Anyways, nowadays it's used for a flurry of activities in Summer. There's a windsurfing school down by Sylvian Park, plenty of kayakers and dragon boaters and even regular sailing and rowing competitions. Yes, you can swim at Lake Pupuke too but the sea at the Eastern end is only a couple of hundred metres away and is much nicer! The great thing about the lake is that if it's windy at the beach, 90% of the time it'll be calm at the lake and vice versa! I'll admit, I grew up around the corner so may be somewhat biased but I think it's an all round decent lake that's well-worth visiting for a summer picnic or water based activity!

This is a beautiful beach near lots of restaurants and an amazing playground for kids! Would be a…read moremust visit for me with kids in Auckland.

Even in winter I can not resist the feeling of ocean water swirling about my feet. With only a 15…read moreminute drive from the CBD, this beach offers an amazing view of Rangitoto Island, a nice place to have lunch on the waterfront as well as a park as an added bonus. Aside from the stunning scenery and crystal clear water, it is also very dog friendly. Titus and I met plenty of furry-friends swimming, playing fetch and just having a grand 'ol time. Don't leave Fido at home. While the beach itself is not a bay, it does have a crescent shape to it, which means there are hardly any waves. No surfs up dude! Good for the kiddies, pups and lap swimmers. Another reason I enjoyed this beach is that the sandbar is long and wide. So there's plenty of space for everyone to spread out and lounge. If you're not a fan of sand just behind the beach is a small sloped park where you can chill out on the grass and enjoy the view.

One of my random interests is geology - looking at rocks in many cases is literally like looking…read moreback in time. The North Shore coast is littered with geological time capsules, and the Takapuna Reef is one of the most incredible. For this reason, I consider it worth a listing of its own, despite Takapuna Beach and Thorne Bay already being listed. The reef sort of sits in between the two beaches, and is a bit of an overlooked gem I feel - we're too intent on fun in the sun to stop for some rocks haha... Takapuna Reef is about as clear as geological time capsules get. The black rocks are lava from the eruption of the nearby Lake Pupuke. What's remarkable about the rocks are the holes and moulds you can see in the rocks - these were formed when the lava surged through a forest during the eruption. Basically, the lava washed the trees away and as the lava cooled it solidified around the tree trunks. As the trunks decomposed over time, they left holes which you can still see today. For this reason, geologists call the reef a 'fossil forest'. When you go down there you can see right where the trees would have been all those thousands of years ago. Really amazing we have such a well preserved bit of geological history so well preserved in Auckland.

If you are keen for a good workout before going for a dip then this is perfect. Karaka Bay is found…read morearound the winding Riddell Road, down Peacock St. You will find yourself lucky to manoeuvre into a tight spot on the slope that is the car park. Sometimes it is better to park on Riddell Road and just embrace the walk down, as there is an even harder trek to come anyway. Once you make your way down the snaking track, legs burning, Karaka Bay beach can be found. High tide with a Westerly breeze, or none at all, will ensure perfect swimming conditions. For the non-swimmers, it is a beautiful picnic spot - a good location would be under the hanging Pohutakawa tree at the right hand end of the beach.

It may bit a bit of a mission to get to but it's 100% worth it - an absolute hidden gem!…read more You access the beach via a steep track off Peacock St. Make sure you take everything you need because you won't want to be heading back up there in a hurry. Perfect for a picnic under the trees with friends or a somewhat secluded date!

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.

Another favourite with the dogs, Sylvan Park is located on the Northern side of Lake Pupuke and is…read moreless well-known than the South side, where the Pump house is. This suits both me and the dogs just fine. We are more than happy to roam the grassy embankment, play catch and discover new bush trails alone. Enter the park behind the tennis courts on Dodson Ave. Head down the RHS of the back courts and you will find yourself on a trail. Go right and you will end up at the back of Milford Primary (15 - 20mins), where there is a boat ramp if you want to go for a dip (too much swan poop for me - be each their own). Head left and you end up in an opening, which if you keep following round turns into the main part of the park. Here you will find toilets, BBQs and Madloop Windsurfing School. Whilst Sylvan Park ain't huge, it's a great daytime option during summer when our four legged friends are banned from the beaches!

Fantastic little inner city escape with lake beside it and away from the hustle of the city!read more