Beaches · Auckland · New Zealand
The best beaches in and near Auckland
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Iswzo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Mission Bay (About 15 minutes by bus from the city centre). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in February.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- February
- Warmest sea
- 21°C (70°F)
The beaches
About 15 minutes by bus from the city centre · Families and easy swimming
1.Mission Bay
Sheltered harbour beach with calm water, a grassy reserve, cafés and a fountain for children.
About 20–30 minutes by bus across the Harbour Bridge · Swimming and paddleboarding
2.Takapuna Beach
Long sandy beach on the North Shore facing Rangitoto, with cafés and a Sunday market.
About 12 minutes by ferry plus a 20-minute walk · Calm swims with city views
3.Cheltenham Beach
Quiet harbour beach below North Head in Devonport.
About 40 km west, roughly 45 minutes by car · Surfing, scenery and walks
4.Piha
Black-sand surf beach with Lion Rock and rainforest behind; dangerous rips, so swim between the flags.
About 40 minutes by ferry plus a bus or taxi · Combining with winery visits
5.Onetangi Beach, Waiheke
Long white-sand beach on Waiheke's north coast with beachfront restaurants.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C (68°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| February | 21°C (70°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| March | 20°C (68°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| April | 19°C (66°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| June | 15°C (59°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
| July | 14°C (57°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| August | 14°C (57°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| September | 14°C (57°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| October | 15°C (59°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| December | 19°C (66°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for beach, families and quiet stays
Takapuna
Takapuna faces Rangitoto across the Hauraki Gulf from a long, swimmable beach, with a promenade of cafés and restaurants on Hurstmere Road and the Takapuna Beach Sunday market. A coastal walk leads north through a fossil forest at the beach's end. It is about 20–30 minutes by bus from the city centre across the Harbour Bridge.
- Good
- Swimming beach with Rangitoto views; Relaxed seaside atmosphere; Good restaurants
- Watch out
- Harbour Bridge traffic at rush hour; Far from city nightlife
- Nearby
- Takapuna Beach, Lake Pupuke, Milford
Getting to the beaches
- Ferry — Ferries from the Downtown Ferry Terminal at the foot of Queen Street serve Devonport (about 12 minutes), Waiheke Island (about 40 minutes), Rangitoto and other Gulf destinations.
- Bus — Buses cover the whole city and are the main way to reach Ponsonby, Mount Eden, Dominion Road and the North Shore.
- Train — Suburban rail lines run from Waitematā (Britomart) station to the south, east and west, with useful stops at Newmarket, Mount Eden and Kingsland.
- Car — A car is useful for the west-coast beaches, Matakana and longer trips south.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in January–February. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Auckland is generally safe for visitors. The main hazards are natural: strong rips on west-coast beaches, high summer UV and fast-changing weather on bush tracks. Petty theft from parked cars at beaches and trailheads is the most common crime affecting visitors. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Auckland have beaches?
Yes: Mission Bay, Takapuna Beach, Cheltenham Beach, Piha and Onetangi Beach, Waiheke.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Auckland?
Usually February, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Auckland?
Mission Bay: Sheltered harbour beach with calm water, a grassy reserve, cafés and a fountain for children.