Discover Te Henga Bethells Beach
Te Henga Bethells Beach is a striking black sand surf beach located on the west coast of the Waitākere Ranges in Auckland. Known for its dramatic landscape and less crowded atmosphere compared to other west coast beaches like Piha and Muriwai, it is a special coastal experience. The beach is accessible via Te Henga Road and Bethells Road, with a journey of about an hour from Downtown Auckland.
Exploring the Beach and Surroundings
From the car park at the end of Bethells Road, a 500-metre walk along the Waitākere River outlet leads you to the beach. This stretch of coastline is patrolled for swimming just south of the river outlet, ensuring a safer experience in the surf. At the southern end of the beach, a large sea cave awaits exploration, and during low tide, you can walk around Raeakiaki Point to Wigmore Bay.
The northern end of Te Henga Bethells Beach provides access to intriguing spots like Waitakere Bay and its caves, as well as O’Neill Bay. Before reaching the beach car park, you can also find the access to Lake Wainamu.
Activities and Photography
Te Henga is ideal for swimming (between the flags), surfing, and enjoying a leisurely beach walk. The beach's wide, flat black sand surf beach, with reflective surf wash, especially during the golden hour, makes it a favourite location for professional wedding photographers seeking that perfect romantic shot.
How to Get There
To reach Te Henga Bethells Beach, you will need a vehicle. The drive from Downtown Auckland takes approximately one hour. Follow Te Henga Road and then Bethells Road from the northwest end of Scenic Drive to reach the beach. Although there is some accommodation available around Te Henga, camping is not permitted. Services are limited, with a caravan shop and café located at the end of the car park.
Other places to explore on the way to Te Henga include Kauri Cascade, Fairy Falls and Fairy Falls.
