A large bay 5km wide and 5km long. Water is very shallow for most of it. Most of the bay works best at high tide. No waves, just chop when really windy.
A beginners paradise here. Beach with sand and shells. Entry via walk over bridge from the car park. Not crowded here at all, even in 30°C summer days.
Water temp is warm during summer, about 30°C. In winter about 10-15°C. Air temp ranges from 14-20°C in winter to 21-32°C in summer. Wetsuit definitely not required in summer but sun is fierce so rash shirt required. Season here runs all year.
Wind is best here in the afternoon. Best season here is spring with heaps of 20+ knot days from the West or SW (almost every day). Summer thermal breezes can occasionally reach this far east and are usually 10-20 knots. Afternoon winter winds are also quite good here from the WSW after the squalls has eased a bit. Even during autumn sessions here are frequent, despite May being the most fluky season in Auckland. Best direction here is NW but as NW winds are rare, WSW is the most often ridden direction here. Spring is nearly always onshore here but very windy.
Go to Pakuranga, then to Howick and then to Whitford, carry on through Whitford, at Formosa golf course turn left and go down the road to the marina, bridge is on the left and Pine Harbour Beach.
In some directions you can get away with no kite leash so long as it's under 20 knots. It's a very safe beach, no restrictions but common sense always applies as with all spots.
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