Bethells Beach Te Henga

Te Henga, usually called Bethells after the family who farmed here, is the northernmost of the west Auckland black-sand beaches and the one with the biggest dunes. The Waitakere River comes out across the sand, and the walk most people do goes the other way: over a ridge of soft dune behind the beach, about twenty to thirty minutes through sand that makes the effort disproportionate, to Lake Wainamu, a dark dune-dammed lake surrounded by bush where people swim in summer. Back at the coast there are caves at the northern end reachable at low tide and a headland track. The beach is patrolled by a surf club in the summer season, and the same Tasman rips apply as at Piha and Karekare. There is no shop of any kind, and the road in ends at a small car park that fills early on hot days.

What you actually see

• The dune field - the soft climb between beach and lake.
• Lake Wainamu - dune-dammed, dark, swimmable in summer.
• The caves - at the northern end, at low tide only.
• The river mouth - the Waitakere crossing the black sand.

When to go

December to March, when the surf club patrols. Go early on hot weekends - the car park is small and fills.

Honest expectations

The dune walk is harder than it looks and there is no shade on it. Rips are dangerous outside the flags. No shop, no cafe. Check tide times before planning on the caves.

Nearby

Muriwai is north; Piha and Karekare are south along the same coast.