Beaches

Eyres Point, Mangawhai
A few kilometres past Pacific Beach turn off to the left. BBQ and picnic table areas.

Mangawhai Estuary
Mangawhai estuary is bordered by a dunefield which changes constantly. The dunes and coastal foreshore are sites of numerous middens shell and refuse heaps. The oldest middens contain bones of the forest birds now extinct in the area, Maori axes and other artifacts have also been found. The estuary is safe for swimming, but watch out for the outgoing tide near the mouth of the harbour. For the fishers, the estuary provides mullet, parore, flounder, sprat, the occasional pan sized snapper, and kahawai. There are cockles on the estuary mudflats and pipi further up the harbour. Limit 150 per person.

Mangawhai Heads Ocean Beach
Nice surf beach with surf patrol & flags in season. Toilets and change room facilities.

Mangawhai Pacific Beach
First road left after the Mangawhai school. Toilets and picnic tables.

Langs Beach
Nice surf beach, with lovely pohutukawa trees along the edge. Toilets and change shed at the southern end of beach in car parking area. It is safe for family swimming, and you may even spy some dolphins.

Te Arai Point
The north end of Pakiri Beach. BBQs, picnic area. At beach end - tables, change shed, toilets and BBQ (gas - 50c slot). Safest unpatrolled beach.

Ruakaka Beach
Long open beach. Surf patrolled in season. Changing room and toliets. Playground area for the kids.

Waipu Cove
Open surf beach which is patrolled in season, toilets, change shed, takeaways and dairy nearby. Lovely river on the southern end which is great for the children to swim in. Across the river and over the hill is shelly bay, a small bay with shells rather than sand.

Uretiti Beach
Approx. 5 kms north of Waipu. Good surfcasting, swimming, body surfing. Not patrolled. Campsite operated by DOC