Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: beach (22) walk (13) sand (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jude B. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful beach, isolated from your normally easy to access spots. The road to the carpark is rough, narrow and can be dangerous if your not constantly watching for in coming traffic. Its worth it when you reach the end, plenty of carparking available here. Its only a 15 min walk to the beach or 20 min walk to the walks. We did both on our trip here which is fairly easy to complete.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marie-Claire H. 6 years ago on Google
    One of my favourite beaches in Auckland. Too cold to swim and the sea is quite rough though - but great fishing spots. The views are amazing, the water and the coastal lines create a beautiful contrast. It’s perfect for a walk if you need to connect with nature.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ernest W. 2 years ago on Google
    A beautiful beach in west Auckland. A number of hiking/tramping tracks each features different experience.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sumukha B. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing black sand beach. It stretches to several kilometres and great for long walks..!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Benedict U. 6 years ago on Google
    The coastal walk along Whatipu beach goes through the Scientific reserve and leads to Karekare on the North end of the beach. The walk down the beach is quite nice and fairly easy, through sand and small water outlets. There are also shallow ponds (and wet sand) along the wetland side making walking on the sand comfortable even during the day. We went during low tide so the pond were fairly shallow with plenty of space between them to walk through. It is about a 3 hour walk from Whatipu beach to Karekare. There is an option to head in at Pararaha (and walk back to Whatipu through the Pararaha track and Gibbons track) but it is not well signposted from the beach so it is easy to miss if you don't know where to go. Just make sure to bring sunscreen and water if you are wanting to do a walk in the area.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher B. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely beach for a good walk. Head into the caves for some exploring. Black sand so can get really got on your feet in the summer time. Great for dog walks.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Timothy Jung Sik Y. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing beach that's only a short 15 minute walk from the car park. There are a few things to note, however. 1) The walk is quite sandy so some people get tired quickly. 2) The black sand can get very hot during the summer so make sure you have suitable footwear.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Toby J. 4 years ago on Google
    A very picturesque beach at the bottom of the Waitakere Ranges.The beach is super secluded due to its location (you have to drive down quite a long gravel track to get to it). There is also a campsite nearby, as well as a bunch of caves in the cliffs to the north.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vi Duc P. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful and secluded beach. 15-min walk from the parking lot, sand can make the pace slower.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Simon O. 1 year ago on Google
    Wild rugged beauty, Manukau harbour power is awesome to see
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danie P. 1 year ago on Google
    We spent one day here at this secluded beach. The views and the ever changing waterways are mesmerizing. As the waves come in, they form waterways which in some cases flow over a sandbank and in other cases retreat to the sea. There are so many paths for hiking in the area and for the fit there are some great climbing challenges. The road to get here is winding and at places extremely narrow. The reward however is stunning. Also note that there are campsites. It is easy to spend a couple of days here to explore!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 STEPHANE R. 1 year ago on Google
    Another unique beach of Auckland west coast. One of the most beautiful one. You find amazing landscape with mountains as the background, long black sand beaches, rocks, fishers, birds. We generally starts with a ½ day hike in the regional park before we come to this beach end of the day with outstanding lights.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ashley C. 6 months ago on Google
    Such a beautiful beach. There is black soft sand, it is clean and not that busy on the beach. The parking lot got very busy (after 12/1 pm). It got very windy especially on the left side between the 2 mountains on the beach. Caves are unfortunately closed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Arif K. 1 year ago on Google
    Great beach

  • 5/5 aquairis 10 months ago on Google
    Very pretty beach! Stunning view

  • 5/5 M 4 months ago on Google
    The Whatipū area is a scientific reserve within the Waitākere Ranges. It is owned by the Department of Conservation and managed by Auckland Council on their behalf. It is a spectacular area of coastal dunes and wetlands. Please take care when driving along Whatipu Road as it is narrow in places.


Open on Google Maps

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Beaches nearby

Piha Beach image
1
Piha Beach
Beach
Beach renowned for black sand & strong waves ideal for surfing, with panoramic views.
4.70 (3K reviews)
Karekare Beach image
2
Karekare Beach
Beach
👍👍 This huge, wide, and beautiful black sand beach is famous because it has been the filming site for many movies and TV shows. It is most famous as the beach where a scene was filmed for the Oscar winning movie, The Piano, where the piano was left behind. It is popular and can get busy on weekends or...
4.70 (440 reviews)
Cornwallis Beach image
3
Cornwallis Beach
Beach
👍👍 Lovelly place for a family picnic, a good walk or paddleboard when the tide is up. Easy access from West Auckland. Good facilities - bathroom, shower, water fountain and two carparks - but be aware the carparka can fill in quite kickly on a sunny day.
4.60 (344 reviews)
Titirangi Beach image
4
Titirangi Beach
Beach
👍👍 It's a lovely little beach with a big grassy area for picnics and a playground for kids. When it's low tide, you can walk quite far, but it is a bit muddy in places, so do be careful. There are good, clean toilets
4.10 (243 reviews)
Piha black sand beach image
5
Piha black sand beach
Beach
👍👍 Words, (nor the endless amounts of pictures and videos), can describe New Zealand's beauty that's seen everywhere. You have to see the nature with your own eyes, hear the endless calls from the multitude of birds that call these islands home with your own ears, and smell the fresh, crisp air with yo...
4.70 (210 reviews)
Last updated:
()