Thorne Bay

A great secluded little beach that you can access through Minnehaha Ave or by walking along the coastal walk between Takapuna and Milford. There are a few road parks on Minnehaha and then it’s just a short, steep concrete path through some bush onto the coastal concrete walkway until you reach the secret bay. There are rocks on either side that allow fisherman to try their luck– which we saw when we came one evening.
There is a small bit of sand if you just want to lay down and also the shade of a tree if you are coming during the day time. We caught Thorne at a not so ideal swimming time with pretty strong waves that were pummelling us a bit and washing up a lot of seaweed– having said that it was still good fun. Would love to come back when it’s a bit less rough though for sure. It’s very pretty– can definitely say that
A lovely, not so populated seaside spot– perfect daytime or evening.

This secluded beach has white sand, clear water and is an absolute favourite amongst locals. Walk along the coast from the larger, more populated Takapuna Beach past historic scoria reefs and petrified log holes and within 15 minutes you will find yourself at this hidden haven. Don’t forget to pick up a coffee or an award winning liquorice ice cream from Takapuna Beach Café before you start.
Fun Fact: If you are walking your dogs during low tide be sure to let them have a dip or drink in the fresh water rock pool towards the Southern end of the beach. The water trickles down from Lake Pupuke and the dogs just love it!

When people say New Zealand is the best country in the world, it’s places like Thorne Bay that they have in mind. North Shore beaches are great, but this is truly a slice of heaven. To be honest I always thought it was Thornes, with an s, but whatever.
The coolest part about this spot is that it’s a wee bit secret. There’a no big carparks or reserves. There are no boat ramps or tractors. Just people having an amazing time. There are a couple of ways to access the bay, but I recommend walking around the rocks from either Milford or Takapuna beaches. It’s a stunning walk, and Thorne Bay is more than enough pay-​off.
With crystal clear water, white sand, safe swimming and a cool little rock to jump off, it’s the perfect spot to let the hours float by.
It may be relatively unknown to city folk, but don’t be fooled. Thorne Bay on a good day is busy. But who cares, it’s beautiful.

Every time I’m here I think this is the closest Auckland will ever get to one of the beautiful crowded overseas beaches we see in photos. It’s nothing like the other bays beaches, which are long and shelly and full of kids. This place is a small bay with crystal water and soft sand.
In summer it’s so busy here. I’m pretty sure every good looking girl and their boyfriend comes here to flaunt the bods they’ve been working on over winter. So don’t be intimidated and wear you’re best swimmers because you will be on show. If you’re single to mingle get down here to join the flocks of boys and babes enjoying the sun. Most of the time there’s a chilly bin full of beers parked up next to the crowds. I’m not sure if that’s legal but you can’t blame them for topping off this paradise with a cold corona!

Thorne Bay is a little beach sitting between Milford and Takapuna beaches. A short strip of gold among the black volcanic rocks that dot the coast and overlooked by multi-​million dollar beachfront homes, Thorne Bay takes a bit more effort to get to than other North Shore beaches. It’s well worth the ten minutes of rock hopping if you like your beaches smaller, more secluded and less busy. It’s utterly beautiful on a fine day — in certain light the sea here takes on an almost tropical looking green hue, and you can see all the way out to Whangaparoa and Tiritiri Matangi Island on the horizon. It tends to be a bit of a bit of a young person’s playground as opposed to a family beach — so plenty of perfect beach bodies around (not mine sadly) and sometimes a bit of risqué sunbathing which nobody seems to mind.

I thought for years this place was called Minnehaha — and I reckon it suits the place a lot more. Cause it’s small, and you have lots of laughs — get it?
Even the walk to Minnehaha is cool, as you walk around the rocks you get the feeling you are on the way to a bit of a secret beach — an illusion that is shattered as you round the corner to come across a mass of people.
The water itself is usually quite calm — but about twice a year, when the king tide hits, waves come roaring in at 6 feet, dropping whoever dares to venture out straight onto the sand. It’s an experience that, if you could avoid seeing the million dollar houses, could persuade you you were at Piha.

This is a little North Shore secret that I guess was not going to be kept a secret really. Spent new years day here this year and it was just the most sublime day I can remember, warm water, warm sun, not a cloud in the sky, quiet bliss but oh so busy.
This tiny little beach known to locals as Minnehaha beach sits like a queen watching beautiful Rangitoto island. Walk along from Takapuna Beach past the Holiday Park and jump along the rocks, and you shall soon arrive at my Auckland pick for paradise beach.
The owners of the homes at Thorne Bay are sitting on gold I say! Great thing is, you could be almost anywhere in the world when you swim out into that ocean and gaze out at passing sail boats. Not a city scene in site.
Visit this beauty, and let time slip slowly away.

Thorne Bay is simply amazing. Forget the busy main beach at Takapuna, if it is seclusion you are after then take the time to find your way to this beautiful bay. You can access Thorne Bay via Minnehaha Avenue, then there is a bit of a walk across some rock pools but the trek is worth it. Thorne Bay has white sand with lots of tiny pretty shells and if possible grab yourself a spot under one of the trees for some shade. When I went I was surprised at how far the tide came up, so if possible pick a time when it is low. The bay is also very rocky and so that combined with the tide means it isn’t child friendly, which is nice because there aren’t a lot of kids there.
I had a beautiful time when I went early this year. Yes the weather was great too but just being in this small paradise you feel like you’re not even in Auckland. If you haven’t been you must go, you won’t want to go to a mainstream beach again.