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A full list of beaches from Laingholm Bay to Whatipu Beach.
The Laingholm Bay to Whatipu beach section of the Manukau Harbour coast has the best swimming beaches.When compared to Onehunga to Jenkins Bay. The following is a list in order as you follow the coast.
Laingholm Bay - A shallow bay with a sandy beach about 120 metres long at high tide, with a silty foreshore down to the low tide mark.There are picnic tables and benches on an adjacent grassed area. There is a small shop across the road.There are two gravel vehicle access ways on to the foreshore.
Armour Bay Reserve - Is a shallow bay that has a sandy beach about 200 metres long at high tide. At low tide there is a silty pebbly foreshore.There are a number of picnic tables and benches, a coin operated barbecue, a cold water shower, and public toilets. There are gates that are open 1 October to 31 March - 7.00 a.m to 9.00 p.m. 1 April to 30 September 7.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m. There's a concrete ramp onto the sand for small boat launching with nearby car park.
Mill Bay - The sandy beach is about 120 metres long at high tide with a small bridged stream in the middle. The sea retreats a substantial distance at low tide, where the foreshore is a mix of sand, pebbles and shells. There is about four acres of flat grassed parkland with some picnic tables and shade trees. There are two car parks, one at each end of the bay. There's a gate that has a closing time marked on it.
Cornwallis Beach - Is about two kilometres long with numerous grassed areas with picnic tables and benches. There are three access roads. 1.Pine Avenue access road. While your here, have a look at the Moari wood carving. Has a car park that allows overnight parking for self-contained vehicles. For bookings and enquiries phone ARC Contact Centre 366 2000. Cornwallis Road has two beach access roads. 2.The first on the left provides usually has the least number of people.
3.The second gives access to the Wharf and boat launching, so there are more people here. At the end of Cornwallis Road there is a 5-10 minute walk to McLaughan Monument that has a view of the Manukau Harbour Heads, Whatipu and back towards Cornwallis beach.
Kakamatua Inlet - Has a car park then a pleasant 10 minute walk to the beach, along a stream in a bush clad valley. It's popular with dog walkers, so watch out for dog faeces along the track. It's a shallow inlet I wouldn't come here for a swim. Look for a pair of White Faced Heron birds, that feed in the bay and roost in nearby trees.
Kaitarakihi Bay- Has a sandy beach about 100 metres long at high tide, stretching out to about 150 metres at low tide with sand down beyond low tide. Suitable for swimming. There's a car park and adjacent grassed picnic area. It's often quiet. Access is along Spraggs Monument Road about one kilometre past Cornwallis Road. The monument is a short walk off the road if you want to view the Manukau Heads. If you travel further along Huia Road you'll see Kaitarakihi Point lookout on the left and it has one of the best panoramic views of the Manukau Harbour from Onehunga to Whatipu and the Manukau Heads around to Huia Bay.
Foster Bay - Is a small bay that has been spoilt by buildings close to the foreshore. There is beach access for boat launching but no where to park a trailer.
Huia Bay - Is a shallow bay that little water in it at low tide. There is a pleasant park with about 300 metres of sand in front at high tide. Becoming a large sand flat at low tide. There's a children's playground and public toilets here. There's a store and takeaways on the right as you enter Huia Bay.On the way between Huia and Little Huia you pass the Huia Settlers Museum, that is worth looking at if you have about 15 minutes to spare. Entrance is by donation, to the volunteer organisation that runs it.
Little Huia Beach - Is about 150 metres long with a mix of sand and pebbles. There are three gravel vehicle beach access ways and two concrete boat ramps at the western end, with a shallow concrete stream crossing between. There is trailer parking space here.
Then you head inland from the inner Manukau Harbour up a winding narrow gravel road to get to what is part of the West Coast. -
Whatipu - Has a car park at the end of the road. It's walking only from here! Go left from Whatipu car park to see Whatipu Beach. I would not recommend this beach 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, where there are strong tidal currents. So it is only suits people who are good swimmers. There are places to fish off the rocks here, but it can be dangerous with the tide trapping people and unexpected large waves can wash people into the sea, then the strong currents can drown them. There is a Whatipu campground that is run by licensees, that allows both vehicle based tent camping and over night parking self-contained vehicles.Ph 811-8860 for bookings and inquiries.
Return from Laingholm Bay to Whatipu beaches to Auckland beaches.
Return from Laingholm Bay to Whatipu beaches to home page.

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