Black sand, a seasonal gannet colony, and walks through coastal bush and dunes give Muriwai Beach a distinctive character. If you want to watch the birds, the time of year is especially important when planning your trip. Coastal scenery and beach activities are also distinct highlights to choose from.
The Gannet Colony in the Regional Park
Otakamiro Point, home to one of the few gannet breeding colonies on mainland New Zealand, lies at the southern end of Muriwai Regional Park. About 1,200 pairs of gannets breed at Muriwai each year from August to March; visitors can watch the colony during these months. If the birds are the main reason for your trip, take this period into account when planning.
A short walk from the car park leads to a viewing platform directly above the main area of the colony. Other viewpoints in the Regional Park offer views of the beach and seasonal colony; several trails pass through native bush. The platform looks out over the main area, while the other viewpoints bring the beach and colony into view. Check the official access information before your visit.
Coastal Scenery and Walks
Muriwai is one of New Zealand’s most impressive black-sand surf beaches. The wind-swept, hilly coastline stretches for 60 km and is broken up by streams and rivers. The scenery extends beyond the surf: wind, ridges, and waterways shape the coastal landscape. This perspective can help you choose Muriwai for more than just one particular activity.
At Muriwai Beach, several trails pass through the surrounding coastal bush and dunes. These differ from the trails in the Regional Park, which pass through native bush and lead to viewpoints overlooking the beach and colony. The trails therefore offer two distinct landscape experiences: sand and dunes at the beach, and native bush and viewpoints in the park. If you’d like to explore the area on foot, you can take these different types of walks into account when making your choice.
Surfing, Wind, and Beach Activities
Muriwai Beach has several surf breaks and waves for different experience levels. Kitesurfing is also possible; the wind keeps the kite aloft for extended periods. These activities offer different highlights: the surf breaks provide a range of waves, while kitesurfing takes advantage of the steady wind. You can choose between the two water sports based on which aspect interests you more.
Surfcasting is also practised on the beach. This involves fishing from the shore—a different way to enjoy the coast than surfing or kitesurfing. Land yachts (blokarts) can be hired by the hour from Muriwai Surf School. Check availability before your trip; the hourly rental gives you a specific time frame to factor this activity into your plans.
This gives you a clear distinction when planning your trip: gannet watching is seasonal, with a window from August to March, while the walks, coastal scenery, and beach activities offer other reasons to stay in Muriwai Beach. If the colony is a deciding factor for you, plan your visit within this period. Follow the official access information for the viewing platform, and check the availability of blokarts with Muriwai Surf School in advance.
Discover more destinations: Mangere, Puhoi, Wainui, Pakiri, Onetangi, Devonport, Drury, Dairy Flat.
For the broader travel guide: Auckland.
