Te Arai is the long surf beach just south of Mangawhai: open sand, big dunes and a rocky point, inside Auckland Council's Te Ārai Regional Park. It's popular with surfers and busy at weekends, but the beach is long enough that a short walk usually finds you some space. Behind the dunes is a string of dune lakes and wetlands that the council calls highly sensitive.

How do you get to Te Arai from Mangawhai?

Te Arai is next door, about 25 minutes' drive south of the Heads. The council lists three access points:

Te Arai Point, at the end of Te Arai Point Road. The headland, the main surf beach and a retired quarry you can swim in. This is where most people go.
Pacific Road, with parking and a walk over the dunes to the beach and to the northern part of the track network.
Forestry Road (Western Boundary Road), for Te Arai South, the long beach formerly called Forestry, which is also good for surfing.

Is Te Arai safe for swimming?

Safeswim says rip currents are common along the beach, particularly beside the rocks when there are waves. Its advice: respect other water users, stay within your limits, and if in doubt, stay out. It also warns that the wind can be stronger than it looks for paddle craft, and inflatables aren't recommended in offshore winds.

Lifeguards: Safeswim lists patrols every day from 21 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, 10:30am to 5:30pm. Outside that, there are none.
Other hazards listed: large breaking waves, deep water, strong winds, submerged objects, a sudden drop in depth and an unstable cliff. Supervise children at all times.
Facilities: parking, toilets and a picnic area.
Safeswim links a live webcam from Auckland Council's coastal monitoring, which is handy for checking the surf before you leave home.

Surfing at Te Arai

The council says Te Arai Point is the more popular surf beach, with good waves at Te Arai South too. For lessons, Aotearoa Surf School is at 11 Te Arai Point Road. Closer to home, Mangawhai Heads Surf School teaches at the Heads.

Can you take dogs to Te Arai?

Mostly no. Under the council's rules, dogs are prohibited at all times, including in vehicles, on Te Arai Beach North and South (Forestry), at Eyres Point and the disused quarry, on the dunes, grassed areas, paths, tracks and coastal tracks, in the campground, and on the roads and car parks (Western Boundary, Canal and Pacific roads). The one exception is an inland area off Western Boundary Road, where dogs are allowed on a lead at all times. You can only drive a dog in along Western Boundary Road as far as the inland car park. Part of this coast is DOC-controlled, partly to protect nesting shorebirds, including the tara iti. For dog-friendly beaches, see our dogs guide.

Other park rules worth knowing

Horse riding is allowed year-round on the designated trails through the pine forest, the dunes and the public easements. On the beach you must ride below the high-tide mark, and riding may be restricted during bird nesting.
No drones anywhere in the park.
No amplified music, including Bluetooth speakers.
The park is rubbish-free and smoke-free: take everything out with you. No fires.
Certified self-contained vehicles can stay up to three nights in the CSC parking area, which you must book and pay for first.

Eat and stay nearby

Ric's at the Ocean is at Te Arai Links, and Te Arai Lodge is on Lake Road. Otherwise Mangawhai is 25 minutes away: every café and takeaways. Pakiri Beach is further south on the same coast.