No trip to Auckland would be complete without visiting the rugged West Coast! There are plenty of beautiful black sand beaches, like Piha, Muriwai, and Karekare, but some of my favourite childhood memories were made right here! Te Henga, also known as Bethells Beach, is easily one of Auckland’s most stunning destinations. The beach is famous for its wild, untamed beauty and exceptional surf conditions. The most popular spot is O’Neill Bay, a short walk from Bethells Beach. I love people-watching here!

Explore further

While you’re at Bethells, I recommend walking down to the southern end of the beach and visiting Bethells Cave. This is a massive cave that’s best explored at low tide. While it’s only 30-40 metres deep, the large opening lets in plenty of natural light, creating a picture-perfect view of the beach from inside.

If you’re up for a full day of exploring, Bethells is not far from Piha. If you want to hit two birds with one stone, I recommend starting the day with a walk to Kitekite Falls, having lunch at Piha General Store, and then heading to Bethells for sunset.

Safety warning

Like other West Coast beaches, Bethells is exceptionally powerful. It's listed as the 4th most dangerous beach in New Zealand, but that is not to say you can't enjoy yourself here. However, you MUST know the dangers of swimming in the sea. In the summer months, surf lifesaving volunteers patrol the beach and will set out flags indicating where you can swim. However, it’s irresponsible to put yourself in danger, and you must do your part to keep yourself safe, too. Do not enter the water if you do not know how to swim, and make sure you know how to identify a riptide. If you don’t or are unsure, it’s best to paddle or watch from the shore.

How to get there

Bethells Beach is around 45 minutes from Auckland CBD. There is no public transport out to the west coast. So, like most other places around Aotearoa, I recommend visiting with a car. You’ll find toilets and free parking when you arrive, but it fills up quickly, especially in the summer, so I recommend getting there early or driving a couple of laps! You’ll need to walk for 10-15 minutes before you reach the water. The walk out to the sea makes Bethells one of the most inaccessible beaches in Auckland, but it’s worth the effort. Another thing worth knowing is that there is no service at Bethells (as of January 2025), so make sure you let someone know where you’re going before you leave home.