Mission Bay Beach

About

Mission Bay is the most accessible of the eastern bays, a short drive or bus along Tamaki Drive from the city with Rangitoto straight ahead across the water. The beach is sheltered and shallow, which makes it work for small children in a way the west coast never will. Behind it sits a wide grassed reserve and the Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain, lit at night. The strip opposite is solid cafes, ice cream and casual restaurants, and it stays busy well into the evening in summer. The coastal path runs in both directions, west back towards the city and east to Kohimarama and St Heliers, and it's flat the whole way. Free. Parking along Tamaki Drive is the main constraint on a fine weekend, so consider the bus or walking in from further along.