Stanmore Bay is a 2.6 km long, crescent-shaped bay on the northern side of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, a 45-minute drive from Downtown Auckland. The southeast end is bounded by the cliffs of Tarihunga Point, which separate the bay from Waiau Bay. This end of the beach is the best, with Stanmore Bay Park, car parks and contiguous sand from the reserve to the low tide line. At the very end of the beach, there is a bridge over a stream. An oddity is the small, old grave sites next to the stream, which relate to three early settler families - Kelly, Arkle and Harrsion.
As you go northwest, there are wide rock platforms below the sandy beach that are exposed at low tide, revealing rock pools with their own appeal. Beyond the northeast point is Puawai Bay and Whale Cove, followed by Red Beach.
The beach is popular with swimmers and families due to its sheltered orientation and gently sloping shore. A skatepark, playground, and community swimming pool just behind the beach reserve at the south end add to its family appeal.
Geologically, the bay sits between layers of Waitematā sandstone and ancient volcanic intrusions that have shaped much of the North Shore coastline. The beach itself is fed by small stream mouths and backed by residential streets with walking access points along the length of the bay, as well as Stanmore Bay Park.
In Māori tradition, the wider Whangaparāoa area was part of the Tāmaki Māori trade routes, and the peninsula offered seasonal fishing camps and bird snaring grounds. European settlement brought orchards, dairy farms, and eventually beach subdivisions, with Stanmore Bay named after an early English landowner.
For camping, the nearest option is Shakespear Regional Park, a 10-minute drive east.
To reach Stanmore Bay from Downtown Auckland, take the Northern Motorway, exit at Silverdale, and take Whangaparāoa Road. Turn onto Brightside Road or Waiora Road to reach the beachfront. There is parking along the beachfront reserve.
