Kaunga Swimming

Where you can swim

Āwhitu

Safe swimming is possible at both beaches.

Watch out for the sharp oyster shells on the beach and in the water.

Cornwallis

Part of the Waitakere Ranges, Cornwallis is a popular, safe spot for family picnics and swimming.

Visit the 200m long restored Cornwallis wharf, the last of the Manukau's 16 ferry wharves.

Duder

Duder has several good beaches that are suitable at all tides.

Glenfern Sanctuary

Swimming is popular from the wharf.

Be aware of boats and stingrays.

Read more about Glenfern Sanctuary Regional Park.

Huia

Huia is a safer spot for swimming than some other beaches in the Waitākere Ranges.

Read more about Huia, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

Karekare

Take extra care when swimming at Karekare.

Swim between the flags.

Long Bay

The sandy 1km-long beach is ideal for swimming and relatively safe. Children should be supervised at all times.

Lifeguards patrol the beach during the peak summer months.

The bays further north are also great for swimming. These can be accessed via the Coastal Track, or around the beach at low tide only.

You may encounter nude bathers at Pōhutukawa Bay.

Mahurangi

Mahurangi has several excellent beaches for swimming:

Sullivan's Bay, which has vehicle access and is great for swimming in all tides
Te Muri, which is a long sandy beach only accessible by boat or foot
Mita Bay, which is a small sheltered bay only accessible by boat or foot
Big Bay, a white sandy beach at Mahurangi East that is only accessible by boat.

Lagoon Bay, a shallow, muddy and very tidal beach is not a good beach for swimming.

Read more about Mahurangi Regional Park.

Muriwai

Muriwai Beach and Maukatia / Māori Bay have dangerous surf.

You should only swim between the flags, and if there are no lifeguards on duty, stay out of the water.

Ōmana

Ōmana Beach is suitable for swimming and is more attractive at high tide.

Oysters grow on the rocks so wear shoes to protect your feet.

Piha

You should only swim between the flags, and if there are no lifeguards on duty, stay out of the water.

Read more about Piha, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

Scandrett

The beach at Scandretts Bay is very calm. It makes for a pleasant swim and is suitable for children.

The beach is very tidal, and the best swimming is at high tide. At low tide, you have to walk over a large expanse of exposed mud flats.

Read more about Scandrett Regional Park.

Shakespear

All of Shakespear's beaches are suitable for swimming, with Te Haruhi Bay being the most popular and picturesque.

Okoromai Bay is very tidal. It is a nice spot for a swim at high tide but unsuitable at low tide.

Army Bay has good swimming at all times.

Read more about Shakespear Regional Park.

Tāpapakanga

Tāpapakanga is a nice swimming beach that is suitable for families.

Read more about Tāpapakanga Regional Park.

Tāwharanui

The bays at Tāwharanui are great for swimming.

There are four white sandy beaches to choose from on the northern coast. The most popular is picturesque Anchor Bay.

Read more about Tāwharanui Regional Park.

Tawhitokino

Tawhitokino is a relatively safe family beach with lovely clear water.

Read more about Tawhitokino Regional Park.

Te Henga / Bethells

Te Henga / Bethells Beach is another beach in the Waitākere Ranges worth visiting. Here you will find sand dunes and Lake Wainamu - a popular swimming alternative to the rough west coast beaches.

Waharau

The beach at Waharau is stony and the water is shallow but pleasant at high tide.

Waitawa

Mataitai Bay and Waitawa Bay are both safe swimming beaches.

It is not safe to jump from the wharf, as there is a strong current that flows past the wharf. It is also shallow water at mid to low tide, and there are submerged rocks. You should also be careful of mussels and oysters on the pylons and surrounding coastline.

Use the emergency angel rings and throw bags only in an emergency.

Wenderholm

Swimming is very popular at Wenderholm with 900m of sandy beach that is considered relatively safe to swim in.

Watch for very strong tidal currents at the mouth of the Pūhoi River - stay clear of this area, where there are danger signs posted.

Read more about Wenderholm Regional Park.

Whakanewha

Enjoy the safe, shallow swimming at Whakanewha Bay.

Read more about Whakanewha Regional Park.