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.

Great Kiwi Beach! This place is a wonderful beach- it's…read morewide, sandy, with beautiful views, plenty of nearby amenities, restaurants, parking- this place has it all! There's a place where you can pay some dude on a tractor to launch your boat. He drives his tractor waaaay into the water to make sure you're properly launched. I saw people on jet skis, boats, swimmers- this place gets used. Walking along the beach, I found all kinds of interesting seashells! Heaps of them! There's a grassy area between the beach and the facilities, if sand isn't your thing. The beach offers wide open spaces where you can run free and not worry about stepping on a pop-top and blowing out your flip-flop and have to go on back home. Other than the fantastic view of far off seas and distant islands, was the facilities offered here. Outdoor showers to wash the salt water off, or bathe the family dog in. Indoor changing rooms and bathrooms. Hungry? There's heaps of dining options just a stone's throw away from this beach. It's like a small little town alongside this nice beach, with a large park backing up to it. Check it out!

A lovely beach across the road from various shops and cafes, Browns Bay has a lovely ambience that…read moremany Aucklander's love to rave about. There's a giant ice-cream dust bin opposite the delightful Penguino Ice Cream shop nearby, which I highly recommend before you head to the beach. Afterwards, go for your stroll and take in some grand views. The sand stretches for ages, so it's easy to find a spot even on a hot summer's day. Not a good surfing or bodyboarding beach, but great for swimming and paddling. My last visit was on a chilly, windy day, but it didn't ruin the atmosphere, rather adding to it's special nature. Hop on a swing and take in a peaceful breeze this autumn at Browns Bay.

This is an open letter to the good gentlemen who operate the Lotto. Dear Sirs, please can you pick…read morethe correct numbers, as I am doing my share by filling in the little form. The reason I would like you to pick the correct numbers, is so that I can buy a small bach near Mairangi Bay beach. The small beach on Auckland's East Coast Bays, is just the place where I can see myself living. The water is good for swimming, the beach is not too big, and not too small, and the eye candy is plentiful. There is just enough parking to keep away the masses, and it is just a short walk away from Mairangi Bay village. A village filled with excellent dining options, and all the facilities a Lotto winner will need. Thank you, I await your selection.

This golden sand beach is wonderful as it's just behind the strip of many great little cafes and…read moreshops as well as one of the beaches along East Coast bays with the concrete walkway. It's connected to Murrays one way and Campbell's the other way and makes for a nice treat, especially with a buddy or a 4-legged companion. It's best at low tide but it was also a shrieking-good surprise with the waves coming in at high tide as well. The grass is elevated behind a stone wall from the beach with swings above the sand. The Mairangi Bay Surf Life saving Club sits just to one corner with patrols during the weekends. We came and saw littles running one weekend morning doing their water safety training. There were also heaps of people in the water and as well as boat taken out. Definitely a great one for summer

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.

Found this little gem online and had to see it for myself. Drive down Gray Crescent and see if…read morethere is any road parking available after the residents. It isn't too hard to find the entrance either- especially with the sign on the gate before its downhill concrete driveway. Cute little bench sitting on the concrete just before the golden sand and noticed a short concrete stair to the left with a flat square bit. Couldn't venture out to see it myself. I've never been very good at checking tides so it was quite high-tide when I went so I could also only do a bit of the coastal cliff/rock walk around this little secluded beach. I'm sure at low tide you could make it all the way around to Waiake. A very gnarly tree on the right hand side that you have to contend with but has a neat rope swing. Got very warm exposed to the full elements but the bay itself is shaded by pohutukawa so has best of both worlds. Owners of nearby houses have their own private access and saw a few of them going for a swim. Definitely need to do that next time as well as finish that wrap around walk. Definitely worth a check in

An absolute gem. Very difficult to be seated at a table but when you are? Totally worth the wait!read more

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.

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.

I am such a huge fan of the outdoors and we are just spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in…read moreour beautiful city. Located on the North Shore in between Mairangi Bay and Rothesay Bay is this little gem called Murrays Bay. With a lovely stretch of soft beach to relax upon, and a bay that is perfect for swimming, and boating. The Murrays Bay Wharf is great for jumping off in high tide, as there is a nice depth to the water for a big splash. If you are a keen fisherman/woman, or kid sink a line off the wharf and as you ponder on the view of Rangitoto island wait on that lucky bite. Great place really to teach the young children to fish, as it is safe and picturesque. The Bay is also home to Murrays Bay Sailing Club; located at 513 Beach Road which offers sailing facilities for all levels of dinghy sailing. An East Coast Bays jewel to sum it up.

The North Shore is inundated with great beaches and I feel like Murray Bay often gets forgotten…read more Though I do think there are better beaches nearby, on a hot summers day Murrays Bay is a great option, and will probably be a bit less crowded. It's pretty small which I quite like, and when it's busy there is a really cool family vibe. There's a great grassy area, perfect for a picnic, some games, or some chill time under the shade of a tree. The water is really safe to swim in, and to rocks bordering either end of the beach make for some really good exploring. My favourite part of the beach however, is the wharf. This is one mother of a wharf, and is one of the most well-known among fellow wharf jumpers. When it's sunny and the tide is up, it is littered with sunbathers, walkers, jumpers and spectators. There is an easy to use staircase making getting back out of the water simple. And because the beach is pretty sheltered, it's always calm.

This beach is rather short with not too much beach at high tide but it does has two saving graces;…read more 1) There is a great little park and playground at the south-eastern end complete with loos and an outdoor showers (of course!) 2) At the Northern end you can walk right the way round the rocks to Murrays Bay. It takes about 40mins and is a brilliant walk to do with four legged friends. TIP: Stop in at Paper Moon Cafe in Mairangi for a coffee or even better some Kapiti Icecream - delish!

A small though wide beach that looks across the ocean onto Rangitoto and has beach front property…read moreon the other side. You can access it from Huntly Road where there are public bathrooms and a cute playground for the kids. There are a few parks and not too far away a man-made wooden bridge that leads onto blue-y boulders and stone lined sand walkway down to the beach. At the end of the beach begins the concrete/stone walkway that goes onto Mairangi and Murray Bay. Lovely neat little beach