Beaches and Waterways
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach
Whangarei’s premier surf beach with its beautiful white sand and views of Bream Head. Lifeguards on duty over summer months. Play in the surf, run down the dunes, or just explore the surrounding environment. Public toilets in the car park.
Smugglers Beach
A 20-minute walk from the car park. With its stunningly clear water and white sand, this is one not to be missed. This secluded beach is great for swimming, snorkelling and has some large pohutukawa for shade.
Mcleod Bay Beach
Smugglers Bay
A popular beach for swimming with the kids that also offers a playground, public toilets and BBQ. Great for sailing and kayaking. There is good fishing off the wharf at Stuart Road.
Reotahi Marine Reserve
Boating, kayaking or snorkelling are great activities within the Reotahi Marine Reserve. Nearby at Reotahi beachside community, there is a boat ramp and a safe beach for swimming.
Little Munro Bay
Taurikura Beach
Another popular swimming beach. Also good spot to launch boats at high and low tides. Some large pohutukawa trees for shade.
Taurikura Beach
Great for swimming with kids. Playground. Public toilets and tennis courts. Some pohutukawa for shade.
Urquharts Bay
This Bay is located just before the Smugglers Beach and Home Point/Busby Head track. Popular for swimming, kayaking snorkelling and collecting scallops. Boat launching
Taiharuru and Pataua
good low and high tides.
Pataua North Beach
2.4 km of white sand ocean beach. Popular for surfing, safe swimming in normal conditions, ideal for beach walking. Access from Pataua South via the footbridge or a 30 km drove from Whangarei.
Pataua Estuary/Lagoon
A clear (not muddy), saltwater, tidal estuary. Very family-friendly, safe swimming. The footbridge is a popular jumping point at high tide. Public toilets.
Pataua South (Frogtown Beach)
Pataua South
Very popular family beach, ideal for boogie boarding or just playing in the waves. Safe, white sand beach. Access via Mahanga Rd in Pataua South.
The local campground store is open over the summer months, selling ice cream, fish and chips, etc
Taiharuru Estuary
A beautiful pristine clear water estuary system. Great kayak option, lots of bird and sea life. Safe swimming from Taiharuru Rd end or Pataua South Rd at high tide. An explorers delight.
McGregor’s Bay (Taiharuru)
Kauri Mountain Beach
Very pretty cove with white sand beach. Safe family swimming. Wonderful rockhopper exploring opportunities on North side of cove at low tide. Public toilets and car parking.
Kauri Mountain Beach
The Northern end of a stunning 6km stretch of white sand, uncompromised beach. Beautiful scenery, safe swimming, shade. Popular with surfers and beach walkers.
Take your camera!
