At the beach
Shakespear has three beaches. All three have toilet facilities, adjacent parking areas and drinking fountains, but no rubbish bins. Please take all your rubbish
home with you.
All the water in the Park, except for farm use, is city water, supplied by Watercare.
This beautiful beach is the most popular for visitors to the park and is inside the Open Sanctuary pest proof fence, at the southwestern end of the sanctuary. It is a great swimming beach (but shallow at low tide). The grassed area between the parking area and beach provides a great spot for a picnic. There are some barbecues available and plenty of beautiful pōhutukawa trees to
provide shade.
The park’s main campground is located near the eastern end of the
beach. A self-contained campground is located mid-way along the bay.
This beach is home to the New Zealand dotterel/tūturiwhatu. These
endangered birds breed from August to January which coincides with the
busy summer crowds. Please take care when visiting the beach at this
time and keep your distance from any nests. If the birds are disturbed
while incubating and leave the nest the eggs are at risk of overheating.
When young chicks are disturbed, they can die from exhaustion if
separated from the water’s edge and food for too long.
Pets are NOT permitted, even in your car.
This beach, located at the northern end of the pest proof fence, near the park entrance and is popular for fishing, diving, boating and other water sports. A boat ramp provides access to the waters surrounding the
Whangaparāoa peninsula and beyond.
It provides beautiful views to the north. The eastern end of the beach has great examples of tilted, folded, and faulted sandstones for geology enthusiasts. Please take care walking near the cliffs though as they can be unstable and rock fall can occur.
This shallow, tidal beach is a fertile home for shellfish and a popular spot
for gathering cockles at low tide. There is a maximum of 50 cockles per gatherer.
The bay is also popular with black swans.
Okoromai Bay is located outside the Open Sanctuary pest proof fence and
offers stunning views over to Auckland central. Dogs are allowed under some conditions. Check the Auckland Council website for details. There are barbecue facilities and large pōhutukawa trees providing shade.