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The best Manukau Harbour beaches and lookouts,
from Onehunga to Whatipu are:
Here is a list of the best Manukau Harbour beaches from Onehunga to Whatipu and lookouts on the northern side of the Harbour in order of preference.
The most suitable foreshore's for swimming are towards the heads, this is because when the tide goes out many of the inner shores are shallow and many have sharp shells that may cut bare feet. Many inner shores are more suited to locals. If you live within 15 minutes drive of them they're worth going to, but beyond that range you would be better to go to the East coast for family swimming, or the West Coast for the wild surf.
1.Cornwallis -
From either Pine avenue access road. Or from Cornwallis Road where there are two shore access roads. The first on the left provides usually has the least number of people. The second gives access to the Wharf and boat launching so there are more people. The wharf allows fishing and is often crowded with fisher people on the weekends.I've seen people catch Yellow Eye Mullet, Kahawia, and Trevally here. It's probably best 2 hours either side of high tide as it gets shallow at low tide.
2.Kaitarakihi Bay -
If you want a small often quiet shore with adjacent grassed picnic area, turn left into Spragg Monument access road about one kilometre past Cornwallis Road.There's also a walk to McLaughan Monument at the end of this road if you want a 5-10 minute walk for a view of the Heads and back towards Cornwallis .
3.French Bay -
Is a pleasant small bay with a sandy foreshore and is closer to the city, with the best boat ramp along this part of the coast.
On the way here is Colin McCahon's house ( a renowned artist ) open to the public at -
67 - 69 Otitiri Bay Road.
Open Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday from 10 a.m to 2.00 p.m.
Admission $5.00.
Manager: Cynthia Smith,
P +64 (09) 817 8087 extn. 203
M +64 (0)21 160 7203
http://www.mccahonhouse.org.nz
His art tends to polarise people between the " My child could do that' and the "He's brilliant" view points.
4.Whatipu -
Is scenic with pleasant walks through sand dunes to get access to the shore. As long as you don't mind about 15 minutes of narrow gravel access road, with many bends beyond Little Huia to get there.Go left from Whatipu car park to see Whatipu foreshore. I would not recommend this oceanfront for children to swim in, because it is exposed to some ocean swell, with a steep slope under water,so breaking waves can drag people into the water. There are also strong tidal currents. So it is only suits people who can swim. There are places to rock fish here also, but it can be dangerous with the tide trapping people and unexpected large waves washing people into the sea,then the currents drowning them.
Go right from the car park to see the caves.
There is a campground and Whatipu Lodge adjacent to the car park.
For enquiries contact-
Whatipu Lodge
PO Box 60416
Titirangi
Waitakere City
Telephone: 09 811 8860
Email: whatipulodge@xtra.co.nz
5.Sandfly Bay ( Sandy Bay, Blockhouse Bay)-
The names Sandfly and Sandy are deceptive names, because I didn't encounter any sandflies and the sand goes down to the mid-tide mark below which there is a silty foreshore.
Closer to the city than the other options, with a pleasant sheltered bay and adjacent car park and grassed park with a children's play area. The bay is shallow so at high tide you could swim here but at low tide it's not as attractive for swimming.You would have to walk across a silty foreshore to reach shallow water.
Best access is from Endeavour Street, where there is a car park.
The best lookouts along this coast are:
1) Kaitarakihi Point - On the left just after Kaitarakihi Bay.
2) Waikowhai Park - off Hillsborough Road.
3) McLachlan Monument-About 10 minutes walk from the end of Cornwallis Road, past Cornwallis.
4) Spraggs Monument-About a 5 minute walk, from the road to Kaitarakihi Bay.
Onehunga to Jenkins Bay Opens new window. Laingholm to Whatipu. Opens new window. South side -Wattle Bay to Clarks.Opens new window. Go to Quick beach guide from best Manukau Harbour beaches.
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