This deceptively quiet location is just to the east of Auckland, and is suitable for kite surfers and windsurfers of all abilities although beginners will probably get the most out of coming here.
The beach is a good size and full of soft sand. It never gets crowded, even on the warmest summer days, and it is excellent for beginners who want to get to grips with the basics without any hassle. The water temperature is very warm during the summer and might reach 30° C, while in winter it will fall to around 12° C.
The wind blows mainly from the west or the south-west, but is best when it is coming from the north-west and this is most likely from September to November. At this time you will get winds that blow over 20 knots almost every day, but if you happen to find yourself here during the winter instead you will still get 10 to 15 knot winds in the afternoons. The water is shallow and often cloudy, with the conditions best at high tide. The surface is usually flat unless it is really windy, in which case it can get a bit choppy.
There is some parking here close to the beach, and there are public toilets. The nearby town of Beachlands offers a variety of places to pick up food and drink, while Auckland itself is only about 40 km away.
Watch out for the oyster beds about half way down the beach. Apart from that, make sure you have sun protection as the sun here is fierce.
