Auckland Beaches
St Leonards Beach
This had been the best beach in the Auckland area - until the perves got ignored...
The view north, toward Takapuna
Ladies Bay
Next to St Leonards on the North Shore, Ladies Bay used to be probably the most popular of the Auckland urban options. (Despite a council-built viewing platform over the beach, now much shortened.) Of great concern to genuine Naturists is the serious, and warranted; reputation for bad behaviour there, due to the combination of an aggressive local person promoting the place as 'adult'(!) and inadequate policing of this person's activity over the last few years.
The second part of Ladies Bay, St Helliers
Pohutukawa Bay
At the northern end of the popular Long Bay reserve is a marked cliff walk, which goes past this spot. There used to be a sign here, recognising it as a clothes-optional area. However, it too is now subject to the North Shore Beach Patrol Officers.
Pohutukawa Bay - development looms!
Orpheus Bay
This modest, south-facing stretch of sand is not far from the mouth of the Manakau Harbour. Access is via the obscure Con Bryan Track, entered about half way along, on the right of the short road to the look-out, near Huia. Don't sit under the cliff at the far end (right in the centre of the picture), because bits of it often fall off around there...
Orpheus Bay, near Huia on the upper side of the Manakau Harbour
Palm Springs Mineral Hot Pools
This spa is at Parakai, near Hellensville. A skinny-dippers' night occurs (courtesy of Hibiscus Coast Sun Club) on the last Saturday of each month (except December and January), from 6pm to 12pm. There are several spas as well as two big pools alongside a shallow one for kids. This is a popular destination for family groups. Also available is a range of snacks and meals from the fully equipped, licensed restaurant.
A happy bunch have left the large pool area for one of several spas
Herne Bay
Only about three kilometres from Ponsonby, this is not a big beach but usually there are a few people on it, despite it's proximity to the CBD. Here, the tide is right in - there are more sunny areas than appear here.
Herne Bay, a quiet respite in the big city
Murawai North
On the way to Helensville from Auckland, at the end of Rimmers Road, is a long, west coast beach. It can be a bit bleak at times, but even on a busy day, there's plenty of room.
Murawai North - looking south, toward Murawai village
Mokoroa Falls
The falls are (geographically) half way between the settlement of Murawai Beach, and Waitakere Village (township) in the west of Auckland. (To drive nearest to here, go via Wairere Rd, then Horsman Rd to the end.) Walk for 30 minutes on the well-marked track. There are several walking tracks to try, including one along the stream.
The view from the top - only a short walk down for a dip.
Bethells & O'Neills Beaches
These beaches are next to each other on Auckland's West Coast. Bethells has the car park behind it. Skinny-dippers tend to go either to the south, the area shown here, or north over the saddle to O'Neills - (see next).
Looking north from the south end of Bethells -
O'Neills is beyond
the saddle on the right
O'Neills Beach
Getting to this beach needs that extra trek over the saddle: possibly heavy-going for small children. On top of that, there could also be a bit of a wade if you're there within an hour of high tide.
O'Neils Beach - Bethells is behind the saddle on the left
Karekare Beach
Turn left about 15km along Piha Rd to go to Karekare instead of Piha. There are a number of walking tracks behind the west cost beaches, some of which go by pretty lakes and streams.
Karekare Beach, with the top end of Whatipu in the background
North Piha Beach
At the bottom of Piha Rd turn right and go to the last car park to the north. The track over the point to Whites Beach starts, is near here. (Note that Mayor Bob Harvey welcomes clothes-optional use of Piha...)
A North Piha rock pool, with the middle of Piha behind
Whites Beach
The usual way to get here is via the track over the point at the northern end of Piha Beach - about a 30 min walk.
To the casual glance, Whites and O'Neills beaches look fairly similar
Mellons Bay
This one is reasonably easy to find, being not too far from the Howick shopping area. The spot used though, is a good walk to the right from the main beach and parking area. Since the council removed a shielding Pohutukawa log some years ago, there seems to have been a slow decline in usage...
The Mellons Bay spot, about 400 m from the main beach area
Tawhitokino
On the east coast, apart from Ladies and Mellons Bays, one has to venture about 15 to 20 km further east, past Clevedon to find Waitawa and Tawhitokino. Or, of course there are always the Islands in the Hauraki Gulf.
Tawhitokino, a quiet respite well away from the big city