The Whangarei district has a variety of fabulous white sandy beaches and coastal areas. This page contains information about some of the popular beaches and where boat ramps and other facilities are located.
Updated:
24/04/2012 2:43 p.m.
Whangarei has a reputation as the city with 100 beaches, and offers a number of very picturesque and safe places to swim, sunbathe, surf and generally enjoy the coastal attractions. Being on the east coast the beaches are formed by lovely fine white sand interspersed amongst a rocky coastline which is adorned in December by the beautiful red pohutakawa trees (NZ's Christmas tree).
The main beaches are identified on the map below. In addition to these there are numerous small sandy bays along the edge of the harbour; places such as McLeod Bay, Taurikura, Little Munro Bay, Parua Bay, Tamaterau and Waikaraka to name but a few on the northern side of the harbour, and Marsden Bay and One Tree Point on the southern side.
There are BBQ facilities at some of the beaches which can be found on the map below. In some cases (as identified) these are electrically operated. However, in other cases you will need to supply your own fuel (either wood or charcoal). You must however adhere to any fire restrictions which can also be found on this website.
The Northland Regional Council conducts water quality tests through the summer at some of our popular beaches. View their website for further information.
Swimming Water Quality (Northland Regional Council website) Opens in a new window.
Two of the popular surfing beaches are patrolled by Surf Life Saving NZ at weekends during the summer months, generally from the end of October until early April and throughout the week during the summer school holiday in December/ January. For details follow the link below.
Surf Lifesaving NZ website Opens in a new window.
The harbour
The harbour offers good fishing and scallop diving is a popular pastime during the open season.
There are also two marine reserves, one around Motukaroro Island in the harbour off Reotahi which is very popular as a snorkelling spot in the summer. The other is further up the harbour at Waikaraka. Both are well marked and fishing is prohibited in these areas. For further details follow the link below.
Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserves (Department of Conservation website) Opens in a new window.
Recreational fishing
The coastal waters off Whangarei are known for good catches of fish, especially snapper and kingfish in season, but also kawhai, trevally, John Dory and other species in addition to crayfish and kina. When James Cook sailed through the area in 1769, the crew caught so many snapper, that they called the area Bream Bay.
There is also a commercial oyster farm at Parua Bay. There are a number of boat ramps in the district maintained by Council and suitable for launching recreational fishing boats. These are identified on the map below.