Piha Beach is one of the most famous beaches in New Zealand and recently featured on my Top Things to Do in Auckland post. In fact, it once even had it’s own television show called Piha Rescue (a rip off of Australia’s Bondi Rescue). In contrast, Anawhata Beach gets very few visitors even though it is located right next to Piha.
Here’s everything you need to know before visiting.
Piha Beach
Characterized by rugged coast line, wild waves and black volcanic sand, Piha is one of the most popular day trips for Aucklanders alongside Muriwai Beach. Surfers in particular flock here as it is one of the best spots in New Zealand for the activity. If you haven’t surfed before, you can take a lesson or two.
The surrounding Waitakere Ranges are a huge regional park and have a lot to offer too. Kitekite Falls for example are a popular waterfall and swimming hole in the area worth checking out.
Things to do at Piha
The water at Piha in summer is very inviting so I recommend taking a swim. It’s great fun to jump through the waves but do be careful. Piha is well known for having strong currents. Always swim between the flags as these are placed in the safest spot on the beach and are patrolled by lifeguards. Generally, there will be a set of flags at both North and South Piha over from October until Easter.
The beach itself is divided into North Piha and South Piha by the iconic Lion Rock. This rock was settled in Pre-European times by the local Maori people and made a great Pa site (defensive settlement). Today, you can climb up it and take in the panoramic views of the whole Piha area. Te Piha was the original Maori name for the rock and means the divided ripple at the bow of the canoe which the waves breaking around the rock were likened to.
Walking Tracks
At the southern end of South Piha, you can walk around the cliffs via the Tasman Lookout Track to The Gap. The Gap is a low point between Taitomo Island and some cliffs where the waves hit. This creates an awesome sight when the waves are big. At low tide, a pool is created called Blue Pool which is popular to swim in as the tide comes in.
The Marawhara – White – Rose – Laird Thomson Loop Track is one of my favourites at Piha. It has some magnificent views of the west coast. To access, look for a small parking area beside the second bridge along North Piha Road. The Marawhara walk starts here and follows the stream before joining with White Track. The full loop will take approximately 2 hours and you can stop off at multiple lookouts and secluded White Beach along the way. Well worth it!
Kitekite Falls
Kitekite Falls is a 3 tier waterfall 40 metres in height not far from Piha Beach. In summer, it’s a popular picnic spot and you can even swim at the base of the falls if you don’t mind the cold fresh water. Don’t forget your towel!
The path to get here starts on Glen Esk Road which is a couple of streets back from the Piha Beach waterfront. The path is a loop track following Glen Esk Stream and it comes back to the same carpark that you started in. The loop takes roughly 60 minutes. The waterfall is about halfway.
There is a secret swimming hole at the top of falls too if the bottom one is crowded. At the base of the falls, cross the stream and locate the track leading up to the top of the falls. If you’re feeling particularly daring, you can swim right up to the edge of the falls and peer over. Be careful doing this. Enjoy!
Surf Lessons at Piha
If you are curious about surfing, Piha Surf School offers lessons right from complete beginner through to advanced. The teachers here are NZ champion surfers who are internationally qualified. They will give you all the skills you need and will have you standing up in no time. Be aware of surf schools that have recently been set up that use visiting backpackers as instructors. Local knowledge is very important at Piha Beach.
Anawhata Beach
Anawhata Beach is the hidden gem of Auckland’s west coast beaches. Because you can only access it by foot, the beach is very quiet if not empty, even in mid-summer. I highly recommend combining any trip to Piha with a visit to stunning Anawhata Beach.
Getting to Anawhata Beach
Located just north of Piha, and slightly south of Bethels Beach, the beach can be accessed by a long gravel road. Named Anawhata Road, the road forks off from Piha Road just before Piha road starts heading down toward Piha Beach. If you are heading toward Piha Beach, the road will be on your right.
Follow Anawhata Road for roughly 10 kilometres descending through the forest and you will arrive at a small carpark. From the parking lot, you will have a breathtaking view of Anawhata Beach. From here, its a 20 minute down hill walk to the beach itself.
The beach is a great place to just chill on a towel and soak in the sun, waves, and nature. You can also explore rock pools or go for a walk following Anawhata stream. Surfers do come here but they are few and far between compared to Piha. If you walk around the cliffs to the south, you can get great views of a rock formation called Keyhole Rock.
Be aware that because the beach is so unfrequented, there are no flags or lifeguards patrolling. If you do swim, be very careful. Like every other beach along this coast, there are potentially strong currents and rip tides.
Facilities at Piha & Anawhata Beach
Piha is still largely untouched by commercialism. There are only a couple of shops, including the famous Piha Cafe. I recommend eating here or over at the Piha Surf Club which is located opposite the main entrance to South Piha. The are various public toilets and changing rooms scattered about North and South beach which have cold water showers too.
Anawhata Beach has zero facilities apart from a toilet located next to the carpark so bring a picnic lunch. Be aware that the carpark is a 20 minute walk from the actual beach.
Getting there from Auckland City
Piha & Anawhata Beach are located out on the west coast 45 minutes drive from Auckland City. If you have your own transport, it is relatively easy. You will need take the Northwestern motorway Route 16 out toward the west coast.
If you don’t have a car, there are various companies that operate shuttles from the city out to the coast.
Love the pictures and very informative.