Muriwai

A great day trip if you're visiting Auckland. It has amazing black sand. My family and I came here as part of our Coast to Coast tour and had a good walk here after lunch. The gannets were nesting and the trail allowed you to see their nesting location and brought you to a cave and directly onto the beach. It's absolutely beautiful. The water was so clear and the sky was beautiful.

Muriwai beach has always been an epic beach. Whether you're looking for a whole say soaking in the sun or a quick drive out there and back to fill in some time, it's got a lot going for it. The first time I went to Muriwai was on a school trip where we went to the Surf Life Saving club and did a day learning about surf beaches. Brilliant for a westie kid, or any one in New Zealand really, who can't be kept away from the water. It's got the typical west coast beach black sand but somehow doesn't feel quite as crazy as Piha does. I'm sure the rips are equally as bad, so you should be equally aware of the water, but the wind doesn't seem to blow around as much. If you're out there you should go check out the gannett colony. It surely is a site to see, I love the rocks they sit on! And the look out also gives you a good view of this amazing beach.

I've been coming to Muriwai for nearly ten years and have so many fond memories. Auckland's west coast beaches are so different to the east. The sand is black and so fine it trickles into every crevice. The sun casts a blinding glow over the water as it comes to set. And one of the main differences is that looking out to the west you see no large islands as you do when on the East. There is nothing - just the vastness of the ocean itself. It's for these reasons that I love venturing to the west coast. And of course because of the awesome waves that roll through. Like Piha, Muriwai is dangerous because of rips and currents and large waves. The surf lifesavers patrol during peak times and from my experience do a great job at monitoring the ocean, moving the flags and making sure everyone is where they should be to ensure they are safe. Such an epic beach and a beauiful place. Watch out though.. the biggest danger at Muriwai beach is forgetting your jandals and having to bolt across the absolute SCORCHING black sand barefoot.

Awesome beach for surfing. But you really have to be good if you want to surf the green ones!! Otherwise it will be really dangerous. I have never seen so big and powerful waves before. And also the streams are so strong that I got real problems to stand up out of them. All in all hard for beginners but awesome for pros.

Stunner! Absolute gorgeous stroll along this black sand beach and the rugged coastline- that leads you to the surfer-dotted Maori Bay and the famous gannet colony. Cool staircase that takes you up to the man-made boardwalk along this cliff with amazing views out. Wary of the swimming cause of the pounding white waves, even the fishing looks slippery dangerous with waves coming onto the rocks- but brave fisher-people out there trying for a bite anyway. Definitely be careful- west coast has a wild reputation. My favourite West Coast AKL beach- must see

Beautiful, rugged West Coast beach complete with gannet colony. Stop for ice cream at the local dairy and enjoy the scenery.

Muriwai is a great day trip out of Auckland I take my dog there for a real good burn up and down the beach. Heaps of dogs and horses as trekking is popular here too. I still prefer an east coast beach but it's fun to do for a change.

Muriwai is my favourite beach in Auckland. I am born and raised a West Aucklander, so unless there's black sand and waves that can literally kill you, it's not a real beach. Muriwai ticks all those boxes. Of course you wouldn't swim here unless you're a good swimmer and you stay between the flags. When it's a nice day, it's a good drive (about 45kms from Auckland City). My favourite memory of this beach though was when a group of us spent the weekend there. We got in the four wheel drive, drove far, far up the beach where there was no one to be seen, and camped out fishing. It was so much fun. There's a few nice walks around, and the cafe is great too. When we were kids we used to grab our boogie boards and go flying down the dunes, and get nailed most of the time. Of course if you're taking your kids you need to keep an eye on them the whole time, because the surf can get really rough. There's no coverage from trees or anything either so make sure you take heaps of sunscreen, and probably a beach umbrella!