Hendersons
Bay
Facilities:
Car parking
Henderson Bay is a picturesque beach location that attracts a large number of patrons during the warmer summer months. Henderson Bay is good for swimming if the surf is small but strong rips and currents form when waves reach one metre and over. Surfing and fishing are popular year round and these two groups will usually know the best places to go on the day. There is no Lifeguarding Service and Henderson Bay is very isolated, so patrons should stay out of the water if they are in doubt.
The Bluff
Beach
Facilities:
Public toilets
The Bluff Beach is a popular spot with locals and tourists and on any given day you can expect to see a couple of tour buses parked up at Wakatehaua Island and numerous locals and visitors to the region fishing from the rocks. Fishing is the most popular activity at the Bluff but the beach also sees its fair share of sightseers, surfers and swimmers. The Bluff is very exposed to swell with average wave height in the region of 1.5 metres. These powerful swells combine with strong rips, currents that are associated with Wakatehaua Island. The Bluff is a very dangerous beach and all users should be very cautious. There is no Lifeguarding Service.
Far North Beaches
Kaitaia, Hokianga, Awanui
Doubtless Bay, Houhora, Te Kao, Cape Reinga
Taupo Bay
Facilities:
Boat launching
Car parking
Changing facilities
Playground
Public toilets
Shower
Taupo Bay has a solid residential base and there is a good crowd in the motor camp during the summer holiday period making days at the beach busy. Surf is common during summer and anybody going into the water should be careful and avoid the days when the swell is large as strong rips will be present. Taupo Bay has no Lifeguarding Service.
Ahipara
Beach
Facilities:
Boat launching
Car parking
Changing facilities
Food and beverage kiosk
Playground
Public toilets
Ahipara Beach is a safe swimming location and it gets a great deal of use for this purpose during the warmer months. The beach slopes gently into the ocean and waves break evenly all along the beach. Just to the south of the beach there is a good fishing and surfing spot and this gets a great deal of use. All users need to be careful of the northward longshore drift that is present during times of surf.
Rarawa
Beach
Facilities:
Boat launching
Car parking
Public toilets
Shower
Rarawa Beach is a popular summer location and the majority of patrons will stay in the Department of Conservation camping ground that is located at the southern end. Four wheel drives can be driven onto the sand from the central access point and this allows users easy access to the entire beach. Rarawa is good for swimming during the warmer months and is surfed and fished year round. Anyone that is entering the water should check the beach conditions carefully as powerful waves and strong rips are common. Rarawa Beach is safer around the high tide.
Tapotupotu Bay
Facilities:
Boat launching
Car parking
Changing facilities
Public toilets
Shower
Tapotupotu Bay is one of New Zealands northern most beaches, located just a few kilometres from Cape Reinga. Tapotupotu Bay has a Department of Conservation camping ground located at its eastern end along side the stream mouth and tidal inlet. Here you will also find the public amenities. If entering the water while at the beach you should stay clear of the headland rocks and also the stream mouth. There is no Lifeguarding Service and the area is hard to access.
Spirits Bay
Facilities:
Car parking
Public toilets
Shower
Spirits Bay is a popular location with travellers during the summer months. The beach access is over a busy gravel road and caution is needed as many drivers are not experienced with these types of roads. There is a large camping ground at the beach and this gets good numbers over summer. The beach is safe in small swells but can be dangerous in surf over a metre. Anyone going into the water should be careful and stay out if in doubt as there is no Lifeguarding Service and the beach is very isolated.