Must-Visit Beaches Near Auckland

New Zealand’s Auckland city, located on the upper North Island, boasts 3,700km of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. Dramatic black-sand beaches surrounded by clifftops can be found on the west coast, while on the east, white-sand beaches are dotted with iconic pohutukawa trees. Add in the various hidden bays and Hauraki Gulf islands, and visitors to Auckland could spend a whole month visiting a new beach paradise every day. So, put your sunnies and flip-flops on and check out our list of must-visit beaches.

1. Get moving at Mission Bay

Natural Feature

Auckland city’s Mission Bay Beach is the perfect place for a beach workout only 8km (5mi) from the city centre. Paddleboarding, kayaking, working out at the fitness park or running along the boardwalk are some of the exercise options on offer for fitness lovers. Take in views of Rangitoto Island in the background, and head to one of the popular restaurants on the Mission Bay promenade for a bite to eat after a day in the sun.

2. Swim and snorkel at Tāwharanui Beach

Park

Tāwharanui Beach on Auckland’s northeast coast is located on the Tāwharanui peninsula and is part of a marine reserve. Swimming, diving, snorkelling and surfing are permitted at this white-sand beach, but fishing is not allowed as this is a marine protected area. About 50 different species of fish have been recorded in the marine reserve, and orcas and bottlenose dolphins sometimes visit the area. With heaps of rock pools and the popular Ecology Trail, Tāwharanui is a must-visit beach only 82km (50mi) from Auckland city centre.

3. Picnic and play at Maraetai Beach

Natural Feature

Wooden Jetty in Morning, Maraetai, Auckland Region, North Island, New Zealand

Maraetai is a must-visit beach near Auckland for a fun family day out. This white-sand beach has a long boardwalk, playground area and plenty of pohutukawa trees to sit under and have a picnic while children play in the gentle waves. Maraetai Beach is situated on Auckland’s east coast. Only 41km (25mi) from the city centre, this beach is part of the Hauraki Gulf.

5. Surf’s up at Piha Beach

Natural Feature

Auckland’s Piha Beach offers some of the best surfing on the city’s west coast. This dramatic west-coast beach only 40km (25mi) from Auckland city centre is situated on the Tasman Sea and features black sand with rugged cliffs on each end and the iconic Lion Rock in the middle. Take a walk in the surrounding native bush to a nearby waterfall or to one of the cliffside lookout points.

6. Bird-watching at Muriwai Beach

Natural Feature

Gannet colony at Muriwai beach, New Zealand

The Tasman Sea’s Muriwai Beach on Auckland’s west coast is home to a large gannet colony from August to March. With 60km (37mi) of coastline, this beach has clifftop platforms and an easy walking trail allowing visitors to see the gannet colony up close. This stunning black-sand beach, located only 42km (26mi) from Auckland city centre, is perfect for learning to surf and experiencing some of the North Island’s best wild west-coast landscapes.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.