Mission Bay Beach

Ooohh, I feel a bit naughty going against the grain only giving Mission Bay 3 stars.
It is a nice beach and love the cafes so close by. But to be honest in summer I find it over crowded and it’s reputaion over hyped. Auckland is spoilt for choice for beaches and this one has a big fan base, partly due to its approximity to the city, but don’t feel limited if you are new to Auckland — check out Takapuna up North or the wild West Coast if you have time for a drive, even the lovely Pt Chevalier is a great quiter alternative. Mission Bay feels ‘safe’, so if you’ve got littlies in toe then maybe this family friendly beach with ice cream vans nearby may be the best option.

Ultimate summer destination– if you’re near the CBD. Amazing waterfront views onto the blue blue waters and perfect place to watch for beautiful sunsets. I’m sure the sunrise would be equally spectacular though haven’t had the opportunity to see one just yet. A small stretch of sand for the beach experience as the water isn’t the greatest for swimming. A cool and iconic water fountain in the nearby grassy park area. A long pathway to walk, run, bike, whatever takes your fancy right alongside the ocean. I know they hire out bikes in the summer– not just single riders but cool tandem ones as well. Definitely been on my list to-​try for a while.
They have a great promenade with cafes and restaurants at the end of the extensive stroll path, from all ethnicities as well as desserts for after– if you’re around for a meal time. A great laid back feel with picturesque views– perfect for a chilled day out with kids or friends, a good meal or a night out.

I can remember years ago when I was a running addict and living in the area that this was part of my favourite route regardless of rain or extreme heat. Sometimes I would even stop along the road a bit and have a swim. Beautiful after you had had a hard out run!!! The biggest problem though back then and still is, is the congestion on the pavement at times. Having to dodge in and out of people, bikes etc constantly is no joy for a runner. Anyway nowadays as I no longer live there and no longer run as much I only come here to have a walk, coffee or ice cream. And oh, i nearly forgot the fish and chips from the infamous Fish Pot café… which for me remains at the top for getting decent quality fish and chips from. By the beach is the ideal place to sit eating them, making the various birdlife drool in front of you until you give in and throw them the odd chip now and then. I don’t throw the fish as I saviour every last tasty piece.
Anyway getting back to the beach and surrounds. It could be a nice place to have a relaxing walk on a peaceful morning or it can be at the height of summer on the best days a mass of people sunbathing, swimming, cycling, running, walking, having a barbeque, playing touch, skating, having a meal or drink at one of a decent number of restaurants (considering the size of the place) or having an ice cream or yoghurt from Movenpick or Kiwiyo across from the beach. A big problem I have found several times is parking. I have had to park several streets away from the beach at times due to so many people and vehicles down there.
All in all, I would say not the best beach in Auckland but definitely up amongst the top.

This is my local and given the proximity to the city, it’s a fantastic spot to visit. A reasonably long sandy stretch with calm super safe water, grassy lawns, yogurt and ice cream spots, cafes, chip shops convenience stores and the iconic fountain. Yes, you can’t surf here but you can kayak, boat or paddle board, rent a tandem bike or inline skates. Bring a sun tent, volleyball net or a footy for the beach.

Mission bay. It’s not a GREAT beach to say the truth, but its good. At least not for swimming. And I’m not a massive fan of getting my suntan on here either. It’s a very touristy, communal space, after all, its the closest «beach» to the city. But. It’s a good place to sit, hang, eat and people-​watch.
It’s the beach that I grew up with because it’s a 10-​minute drive away. If I lived over on the North Shore, those beaches would definitely get precedence over this place.
Absolutely packed in summer, (which Auckland beach isn’t?) good range of eating places along the «Promenade» as the business calls it. Ice cream at Movenpick, Fro-​yo at Kiwiyo, Mexican at Dos Amigos, Belgian Beer Café, Pizza at Mamma Mia + more.

Mission Bay beach is a cracker. It is quite far away from where I live so I don’t get there too often, but whenever I do it’s always a good time.
I have fond memories of days spent on the grass with extended family and friends. Being quite a big area, Mission Bay beach is great for big groups. The beach is really safe for swimming, the water is lovely and the sand is white. There are plenty of trees to shelter from the sun and a great view out over the harbour.
Taka a picnic or grab some food from one of the many great places within a 2 minute walk. There are take away places, fancier restaurants and a great ice cream place.
Everything you could ever need for a great day outside.

A good outing if you don’t have time to travel too far out of Auckland. It’s easy to get too, just a bus ride away from Britomart train station. The bay isn’t too great, but it does the trick for a bit of beach bumming. A pretty good choice for eating (personally I’d stick with Kiwi Yo or Burger Fuel) and take away or a picnic is always a nice option for a sunny day. The place does get really busy over the holidays, but if you’re a uni student, come in late Jan when all the adults and young children have gone back to work/​school. If you can be bothered to travel a little further, Takapuna beach is quite a few notches above Mission bay.

I have been to Mission Bay beach many, many, many times. It serves as an excellent back drop for a walk, run, ice cream, beach party, lunch or dinner. It’s extremely picturesque and with the park and fountain adds a touch of nature to what is essentially a social eating/​drinking suburb close to Auckland’s CBD. If you want somewhere with a beach feel to go to eat/​drink/​run/​walk or any of other numerous activities then Mission Bay is a great spot. If you want to go to the beach for the day to swim etc, then you could go here, but there are many other more authentic beaches to be explored a little further from the city.

The first beach to pop into mind when you think of Auckland beaches, Mission Bay is *always* busy. It is packed with people of all ages wanting to enjoy sun, sea and icecream, all 3 of which are freely offered here. Aside from the beach, there is also a large grassy area for picnics and small communal sports games, a fountain which lights up at night and plentiful benches to sit and soak in the atmosphere, without getting sand in your clothes.
With a stunning view of the gentle slopes of Rangitoto across the water, it is one of the more photogenic beaches around Auckland. Bikers, dog walkers and joggers are abound here, and the street is lined with a good range of restaurants, cafes and bars — plenty of choice to tickle your fancy.

A very popular beach for Aucklanders and tourists alike, and only about ten minutes drive from the CBD. On a beautiful day this beach attracts quite a few people, most of whom sunbath on the sand, play beach games like Frisbee and soccer, or chill out in the park to have their lunch (not many people actually swimming).
There are plenty of shops and restaurants just opposite the beach and park. Ice-​cream or fish and chips are an obvious favourite but there are also more upper-​class dining options. Nice views and a nice beach, it’s a great place if you’ve got an hour or two to waste on a sunny day.

Mission Bay is always a popular spot for Aucklanders and is usually buzzing during the summer months. Personally, I like a long stroll along the pathway and look out at the sea while you walk. You can sit down at one of the benches and daydream while looking at Rangitoto. When you want a refreshment of some sort, you can go over to Movenpick and try some of their superb ice cream — make sure you get a waffle cone, they’re much nicer that the plain ones. If you want something a tad healthier, you could try the KiwiYo — the frozen yogurt store nearby. When you are finished your long workout and ice cream, you can look forward to the drive home — a long and winding road next to the shore.

While i tend to be more of a fan of surf beaches i think mission bay beach has a lot to offer. It is the ideal place for a date — with the stretch of sand perfect for a walk by the water at night or relaxing on during the day with a good book and a picnic. You wont see waves but you will see little sailboats and the odd dingy, and it is perfect for little kids to play in.

As the most popular beach in central Auckland, Mission Bay is always buzzing with activity. A large park with an iconic fountain, not at all dissimilar to the one in the opening of Friends, separates the street and the beach, and is the perfect place for families to picnic and games of Frisbee to be played.
Bike and kayak hire are two further options for those wishing to burn calories while getting a tan, however I prefer to park up on the sand with a vanilla milkshake and hot chips and look at the amazing view. Rangitoto Island sits directly off shore and the view is amazing.
As a classic Kiwi, I love playing in the surf however Mission Bay is an inland beach so the water is naturally very calm — perfect for the whole family, and for those less confident swimmers!
Bonus: You can keep your sunnies on and even hold an ice-​cream while wading in the water.