Takapuna Beach

About

Takapuna Beach faces east across the Waitematā with Rangitoto sitting directly in front of it, which is the view that ends up on postcards. The water is calm compared with the west coast, and it's one of the more reliable city beaches for an actual swim. At the northern end, exposed at low tide, is a fossil forest, the impressions of trees buried by the Rangitoto eruption and preserved in the rock. Worth timing a walk around the tide for. The grassy reserve behind the beach suits a picnic, and Takapuna's cafes and shops are a two minute walk away. Free, with parking that fills quickly on hot weekends. It's about fifteen minutes from the city over the bridge, and the walk south towards Milford along the coastal path is a good one.