Being from Western Australia, we are no strangers to the beach. Nathan grew up in a coastal town, spending many a weekend down at the beach, either in the waves or playing beach cricket. Tiff had her share of the beach growing up too, but never liked the waves much. Her love for the beach has grown more over the years and now she misses it when we aren’t by the coast. Wave free beaches are still very much her favourite, which is why this list of the best Auckland beaches features the calm beaches of the east coast. The kind of beach you never have to worry about getting dunked, you can take your eye off the waves and just enjoy soaking in the water. These beaches are also stunning for a stroll any time of the year.
When we lived in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) for a couple of months, we were very lucky to live in Milford and close to two amazing beaches. We spent every Sunday down at a beach and explored a good few beaches along the east coast of Tāmaki Makaurau and a few along the harbour as well. We only ventured to a west coast beach once and that was so we could walk the coast to coast track. Needless to say, it didn’t make the cut for our top five beaches, but it was still a lovely little beach. So we suppose this is more a list of our top five east coast Auckland beaches! Check them out and tell us your fave.
Be sure to check out our Instagram to see all of our favourite beaches!
Takapuna
By far, our favourite beach in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) is Takapuna, with its stunning views looking out to Rangitoto volcanic Island. Low tide lets you wander along the cliffs, exploring rock pools and finding washed up driftwood and sea glass. If you only go to one of these Auckland beaches, we would recommend this one. And whilst you’re in the area, check out Scrunchy Millers ice cream!
We made an effort to go down to Takapuna every Sunday evening when we were living in Tāmaki Makaurau to wind down and soak up some sea air before starting the working week. Now, each time we are in the region, we head back down and wander along the beach here. It is especially spectacularly at sunrise if you can bring yourself to get up early enough to catch it!
Te Haruhi Bay (Shakespeare Beach)
We loved walking through Shakespeare park. A little sanctuary for kiwis with bush and farm paddocks throughout the walk. The bush walks are stunning and although walking through the farm paddocks is not as shady or picturesque, you get to say hi to the occasional sheep and see gorgeous views from the top paddock. We wandered all over this little sanctuary before heading down to the beach for a dip and a picnic.
There are shady trees you can sit under whilst still enjoying the view. If you have a tent or camper, you can even stay the night here and try your luck at spotting a kiwi (the bird, not the people) in the bush! We didn’t have a van yet when we were here, so we just did a day trip. It is on the camping list if we end up back in the region, though!
Kennedy Park
Not your typical beach walk. If the tide is in, you can only explore the grassy cliff tops and the remnants of gun batteries constructed during WWII as part of Aucklands defences. However, the views are beautiful from the cliffs and still very much worth going at high tide. If you come at low tide and are prepared to brave the ‘stairs of doom’ down to the beach, you can go for a lovely stroll and dip in the water. Just be aware of the tide coming in and the hike back up the stairs when you’re there.
You get views of Rangitoto from this beach and the cliff tops, too. There is also a cute little tree house on the cliffs for you to play in and explore! If you wander along the grassy park, you can’t miss it. The view from it is pretty darn good and kept us occupied for a while. We felt like kids again, swinging our legs from the top of the treehouse.
Long Bay – Ohura Marine Reserve
A slightly quieter beach. The reserve has several walking tracks, going up and over farmland and through little pockets of bush, to reach some even more secluded and stunning beaches. The walk through the bush and up on the cliffs is breath taking, making a dip in the beach that much more rewarding. We did this on an afternoon after work and loved getting out in nature for a bit. We were even lucky enough to spot an owl resting in the fronds of a fern tree whilst wandering around the lower bush section of the reserve.
Cheltenham Beach Devonport
Last but not least, this lovely beach boasts views of Rangitoto and has a fun mountain (Maunga) to climb at the end. If you are lucky, you can see people gliding off the top, sailing down to the beach. If you decide to make the climb up Maungauika (North Head Historic Reserve) you’ll be able to explore the military tunnels and old guns that dot the Maunga. Make it to the very top and you can enjoy stunning views over the harbour and out to Auckland City too. Tiff was so excited to catch a rainbow out in the sea over Rangitoto when we were up here. We sat and watched it till it started to fade because she couldn’t stop admiring it!
Browns Bay
And of course, we all know that picking just five of anything is something we really struggle with here at The Road Less Written. So here is a little bonus extra mention for Browns Bay beach! A lovely beach for both swimming and walking. It also has a nice grassed area where you can have a picnic or BBQ! We loved walking along this beach after work, as it was close to one location that Tiff locumed at whilst we were in Auckland. If you love dogs, it’s a great beach to go to in the afternoon as lots of people take their dogs there. You are bound to get in at least one pet whilst you are wandering along the beach!
And that’s it! Our favourite east coast Auckland beaches
We are hoping to explore the west coast a little next time we are in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), however we aren’t sure we will be brave enough to go swimming in any of those beaches. We are told the waves can get pretty intense on the west coast (Tiff especially will not be swimming there). We did miss not seeing any sunsets along these east coast beaches as we are used to a good beach sunset. They fit our sleep schedule so much better than a sunrise at the beach!
As always, when following your travel dreams, remember to take nothing but photos and rubbish as you explore these beautiful beaches of Tāmaki Makaurau. Remember that you are on Māori land and to show respect and care towards the people, plants and Whenua (country) you are on. Have a little search beforehand to find out the Iwi or Tangata Whenua of the land you are visiting. Aotearoa encourages all travellers and visitors to take up the Tiaki Promise to care for the people and land.
We recently found out it’s not great to take home shells or rocks from the beach, so we are sticking to photos and the occasional bit of sea glass as mementos of our times on these beaches. The rubbish we find on the way gets disposed of appropriately, although we must say there wasn’t much of it on these beaches, which is awesome!
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
- Top 10 Things to do in Busselton & Surrounds
- Margaret River Complete Caves Guide
- 5 Insta Worthy Margaret River Beaches
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