Bethells Beach

Te Henga or Bethells Beach is found just behind the black-​sand sand dunes– another West coast surfing wonder. Definitely be cautious about the swimming as it is dangerous large and strong white-​water crashing waves. Great for a walk with the surrounding cliffs, but we came on a day after lots of gigantic seaweed was washed up, but interesting shells around and vista to take in. Park just at the back of the sand dunes and find the flat path leading onto the beach instead of walking up the dunes and getting stuck, like we did!
Worth seeing if you’re in the Waitakere Ranges area.

Auckland is blessed with an abundance of beaches on its many coasts, each with its own personality. Being a Shore boy I’d count the serene swimming beaches of the east coast as my native habitat, but I love the west coast beaches for their grand scale, their black sand, and the sheer strength of the natural forces at work — the water and the wind. Among the west coast beaches, Bethells would have to be my favourite along with Karekare.
It’s incredible that such a place is just a short drive out of NZ’s biggest city — the place does have a genuine wilderness feel. The sheer scale of it I’ve always found impressive, and because of the scale you never feel too close to anyone else — you have the feel of your own bit of paradise even if you’re sharing it. There’s lots to explore whether it’s the beach proper, the dunes, the caves or the water itself. I’m no surfer, but I can tell you a swim here certainly wakes you up!
Strangely enough I like Bethells the most on winter evenings with the wind turned up and the sun low in the sky. Maybe it’s because the black sand doesn’t char-​grill my feet like it does in summer… But it’s especially peaceful at these times even with the wind and the waves. Utterly humbling.

Surfing would be the main reason I’d venture along to Bethells. Although it’s a beautiful beach I’d opt for going somewhere else if I wanted to be swimming, hanging on the sand or just enjoying a beach day with family and friends. This doesn’t mean you can’t do these kinds of things here. The beach is lifeguard patrolled so there is that extra protection. And there are lots of cool caves and crevices to explore!
What I’d personally recommend is walking North from the lifeguard tower across to the first little bay and then over the dunes to O’neils bay. I find this spot so special because of how secluded and beautiful it is. Watching a sunset here is definitely an experience worth making an effort for! Watch out though — the sand is an absolute joke in summer. You will not make it through this trek without jandals!

Bethells is one of the great West Auckland beaches. It’s quite far out so it doesn’t get as packed as Piha or Muriwai, but beware, it’s a good walk from the car park to the sea so make sure you bring your jandals if you don’t want third degree burns on your feet from the hot sand on a hot summer day. Bethells has massive dunes which are great to speed down on your boogie boards (although the close by ones will be all closed off coz of conversation and all that).
Bethells has all these caves around too which are really fun to explore. They’re what makes Bethells different from the other West Auckland beaches.
There are always heaps of surfers around, and make sure you swim between the flags because it gets pretty rough, especially if there’s a good wind. Keep an eye on the kids and don’t let them go out too far.

Bethells beach is one of my favourite beaches in Auckland. It is one of those places that never get boring, each visit you discover something new. On my last visit to Bethells, it was a hot sunny afternoon and i could not wait to jump in the cold water to cool off. As soon as we parked the car and walked to the water I dumped my bags on the beach and ran into the water.
What I love about Bethells is exploring the different caves, each cave is an interesting shape and leads to somewhere. One of the caves there takes you to the other side of the beach to a secluded area. The beach is perfect and beautiful and a whole lot of things.
Although the beach is more of a surfer’s beach it is wonderful for swimmers and kids. They are usually puddles that form around the beach which are perfect for the little ones to waddle in.
I enjoy going to Bethells, laying on the sand with a bottle of cider in my hand and nandos on my plate.

I like Bethells Beach! It is a very cool place, it takes a bit of a drive to get to, especially if you are coming from across town, but it is well worth it.
It is great how they have the mobile café on the beach next to all the sand dunes, just what you feel like after you have been in the water. Plus it has such a chilled out vibe, all types go there, families, couples, old, young, all are welcome!
I hold it on the list of «to do’s» for all overseas guests, if you can, make time to spare for this hotspot. It is a popular beach too, so don’t expect to have yourself a little hideaway, despite the driving distance from town.
It also has a good reputation that stretches across the Tasman — I had heard about Bethells in Australia before I even moved here. It also goes by its original name «Te Henga’.