Sandspit is a beach town at the northern end of the Mahurangi region, part of the broader Matakana Coast in Auckland. It is 65 kilometres north of Auckland Downtown and a ten-minute drive from Warkworth. The town is situated near the tidal mouth of the Matakana River, which connects to Kawau Bay and the Hauraki Gulf. The tidal flats are a haven for seabirds, including blue herons and Kōtuku ngutupapa (royal spoonbills). Walking around the edge of the coast is easy as the tide retreats.
A large marina protected by a causeway, with extensive car parking for trailer boats, crosses the flats and supports a wharf in the channel carved out by the river. A commercial campground is near the head of the causeway, fronted by a wide, safe swimming beach as the tide goes out. It is also the gateway to the ferry and water taxi services to Kawau Island. The options to Kawau include a historic mail run cruise.
