Te Henga, also known as Bethells Beach, is a coastal community in West Auckland, New Zealand. Its Māori name, "Te Henga," refers to the long foredunes that resemble an upturned waka hull. Located about 37 km west of Auckland City, this beach is popular but also notorious for its strong rips and currents, making it the 4th most dangerous beach in New Zealand for swimming.

The Bethells Beach Walk begins at the carpark and follows the beach and river mouth out the onto the expansive black sands of Bethells Beach. You can walk the entire beach with views of the rugged Tasman Sea for miles. If you walk all the way down the left side of the beach you will get to a cave (approx 20 minutes) which is amazing for photography! The beach is especially awesome at golden hour and sunset but also works at sunrise when the sun has risen.

Take your wide angle lens (16-35mm) with you for the cave and your tripod for shooting in the low light conditions. On the beach you can use your mid range lens (24-70mm or similar)

Cave Photo by Peter May (@iamtheflyingkiwi)