Five best spots for a swim

We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite beaches:

Tucked just around from the Chelsea Sugar Refinery, Kendall is a sweet little bay with plenty to offer. It’s sandy and shelly, with a view out to the inner Waitemata a little out of the ordinary compared to the majority of Auckland beaches. It is also great for a spot of beach combing.

Waiake Bay, Torbay

The North Shore can boast some of the best east coast beaches in Auckland. This little bay north of Browns Bay has it all: you can swim, you can fish, you can sail; there’s a pontoon, a playground and a boat ramp. And, a little secluded from the bigger beaches like Browns and Mairangi, it is often less crowded.

Judges Bay, Parnell

A perfect beach in the heart of Auckland, Judges Bay had amajor makeover in 2011 and is now a great swimming spot with a small beach, pontoons to jump off, and picnic benches. There’s also a nice grassy area for games, the Rose Gardens just a short walk up the hill and Parnell’s shops nearby.

The Back Beach, Bucklands Beach

The Eastern suburbs are rightly renowned for lovely, shelly beaches. Back Beach is actually a series of private small coves below the cliffs north of the more wellknown Eastern Beach. You need to brave a steep track off Clovelly Road to get reach them, though. This spot is particularly good at low tide, when you can scramble over the rocks from cove to cove.

Karioitahi Beach, Franklin

What would summer be without a trip to the black sands of Auckland’s west? This beach has all the classic west coast ruggedness you’ll find at Piha or Bethells, but without the crowds. There’s a surf lifesaving club to keep you safe in the water.